SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Bike Walk Savannah is lending help to essential workers who have lost their transportation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bike Walk Savannah’s New Standard Cycles Program has passed out more than 500 bikes to people in need.
Throughout the year, volunteers with the News Standard Cycles Bicycle Recycling Program collect donated bikes from the community and work with local non-profits and agencies to help clients find transportation. During the coronavirus outbreak, volunteers will be working directly with individuals to provide free bikes.
“Bicycles are essential transportation for many who need to get around,” said Caila Brown, executive director. “This might include traveling to essential jobs, running crucial errands, or assisting vulnerable people who cannot leave their homes.”
Brown said many locals are reliant on public transit and are struggling to get where they need to go due to schedule changes. In the past 36 hours, the nonprofit has received over 100 bike requests from essential workers.
“Having a bike could be the difference between them having a job or keeping their job, staying in treatment, getting to school so it’s really important for us to be able to provide this for our community because over 10 percent of people in Chatham County lack access to a motor vehicle,” Brown said.
Anyone in need of a bike to travel to an essential job, run crucial errands or provide community support can fill out the bike request form available here. Brown asked people to apply if they feel they have an immediate need without the funds to buy a bike.
Bikes are first-come-first-served, and helmets will be provided if available. A limited number of locks are available for $15 dollars.
Members of the community who have a bike that in “ready to ride condition” or “near ready to ride condition” can send an email and a picture to Brown at caila@bikewalksavannah.org to donate.
Bike Walk Savannah spends about $100 dollars per bike they donate. To offer a monetary donation to help their cause, click here.
