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
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, placing the outcome of the history-making case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
Edmonton Oilers set to make lineup changes for Game 4 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up. Down 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed there would be lineup changes for tonight's Game 4.