Retired N.B. teacher keeps bicycle donation program going strong
For the past 12 years, Krista Richard has been delivering bikes to people in the Greater Moncton area free of charge.
The retired school teacher runs the Bikes and Trikes for Everyone donation program.
Parents reach out via her community Facebook page and send the name, age and height of their children and Richard takes it from there.
It’s a huge benefit to newcomers and lower income families.
“Bikes, like everything else, are more expensive. When we were kids, everyone had a bike and it never occurred to me that some kids don’t have a bike,” said Richard.
A collection of bicycle helmets is pictured. (Derek Haggett/CTV Atlantic)Richard has dozens of bikes at her Moncton home and has already donated more than 70, with 42 kids still on the list.
She even salvaged 14 discarded bikes from the dump recently and is in the process of getting them road ready.
“It’s part of summer and the thought of a child going all summer without a bike, it really brings tears to my eyes because it’s such a part of childhood,” she said.
Sushil Kumar Sharma and his wife received two bikes from Richard on Tuesday for their kids and gave one back.
“She’s doing a fantastic job for the community. I have been following her for two years. In the last year she has given us both of the children’s bikes,” said Sharma. “My younger son is excited for this. I told him yesterday and he’s very excited, so he will be coming from school and he’s going for a ride.”
Richard does the basic tune-ups on the donated bikes, but any major work is done by Vernon Doucet, her personal mechanic who does the complicated repairs.
Krista Richard runs the Bikes and Trikes for Everyone donation program. (Source: Facebook/Bikes and Trikes for Everyone)Doucet thinks the program is great for new Canadians.
“It really helps to have a bike or something for the kids to be able to connect with the other kids and to integrate into society here. I think it’s great for those people that don’t have the means or don’t have the ways to get access to that. Krista just makes it possible very easily and it’s amazing,” said Doucet.
Richard also runs a free afterschool sports program at BGC Moncton, something she’s very passionate about.
She’s set up indoor soccer and floor hockey leagues for students in Grades 4-to-8.
As for how long she can keep up the bike donation program, she’s not quite sure.
“Oh, until every child has a bike I guess. Or until I can’t do it anymore,” said Richard.
Anyone interested in donating a bicycle can reach out to Richard’s Bikes and Trikes for Everyone Facebook page.
She’ll be accepting donations until the end of the school year.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
MPs to vote on motion to oust House Speaker Greg Fergus over allegations of partisanship
Members of Parliament will be voting Tuesday on a Conservative-led motion to oust House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus, amid renewed concern over his 'alleged lack of impartiality.'
Why young people keep getting caught in debt traps and how to break the cycle
Canadians are feeling the squeeze between incomes that haven't kept up with the cost of living, housing crises in markets across the country and rising interest rates brought in to control inflation. Experts share some tips for managing debt and spending.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.