Bike share cycles to be given away at Oakland Community center

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Bikes from the former Topeka Bike Share program will be given away to the community starting later this week.

According to a release from the Topeka Community Cycle Project, their agency will be distributing the free bikes to members of the community for personal transportation.

A grant from the Topeka Community Foundation made it possible for the TCCP to modify and prepare these bikes for distribution.

TCCP says all elements and components attached to the bikes while they were part of the bike share program have been removed.

”One of the great things about these bikes is that they have the racks and they’ve got that basket built in. so it’s the alternative to meet car base transportation if you can’t afford one, just choose not to, the cities been building more infrastructure for bicycles,” Benjamin Alford with Topeka Community Cycle Project said. “So help people who can’t walk to Dillon’s or Walmart. Just getting more people out on the road and more awareness to cyclists and alternative transportation. we’re really happy about it.”

Bicycles will be distributed at the Oakland Community Center at 801 NE Popular St. on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

TCCP says agencies looking to acquire several bikes for those in their care may make that request via email.

TCCP says the bikes will be available on a first come, first served basis as they become available. The bikes are still being converted, but nearly 300 bikes will be available for giveaway over the course of the coming weeks.

The non-profit says there are no requirements to receive a free bike.

The Topeka Bike Share Program ended in July 2020 after losing more than $1.2 million over a six-year span.