University Circle Police Department and Partners Donate Bikes to Local School Children

Posted July 31, 2020 in Press Releases

The University Circle Police Department (UCPD) teamed up with University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (RBCH) to donate bikes to local school children through a new initiative called Pedal with Police: Learn & Earn. Pedal with Police: Learn & Earn matched refurbished, lost-and-found bicycles with children who completed a bicycle safety class and demonstrated what they learned on their new bikes. The first Pedal with Police: Learn & Earn took place on Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31.

Pedal with Police: Learn & Earn was incorporated into University Circle Inc.’s (UCI) Sustainability and Stewardship summer camp. The virtual camp was comprised of rising 7th-9th grade students from four Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools: Mary M. Bethune School, Mary B. Martin School, Bolton Elementary, and Harvey Rice Wraparound School. Camp participants received instruction on biking and bike safety from RBCH, in addition to information and activities focused on environmental sustainability and stewardship. Additional support for the camp was courtesy of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

“It’s important to get kids interested in biking at a young age,” said Chris Ronayne, president of UCI. “Biking plays a critical role in helping cities realize a more sustainable future by reducing their carbon footprint. Plus, it’s a great way to exercise!”

On the final two days of the program, students demonstrated an “ABC” safety check (air-brakes-chain) and were given a refurbished bike, helmet, lock, bicycle light, and bicycle bell to take home. The bikes came from the UCPD’s lost-and-found storage and were inspected and repaired by Ohio City Bicycle Co-op. Helmets were donated by the State of Ohio and RBCH. Bicycle lights were donated by Bike Cleveland. Day-of ABC safety checks were led by local bike activist and League Cycling Instructor, Diana Hildebrand, who also donated the bicycle bells. In total, 24 bikes, helmets, locks, lights, and bells were given away.

“The UCPD would like to thank our partners at University Hospitals, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, for assisting the students with bike safety and generously donating the helmets,” said Chief Jim Repicky of the UCPD. “We hope the students enjoy their bikes for a summer of fun and friendship, and always remember to be safe and wear their helmets.”

For more information on the UCPD, visit www.universitycircle.org/ucpd.

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