INDIANAPOLIS — Fifty bikes that had been sitting unclaimed in the IMPD Property Room annex for more than year were recently donated to Freewheelin’. Freewheelin’, an Indianapolis youth development organization, uses bikes to engage area children in activities that teach life skills, good health habits and leadership. In the past, abandoned bikes left unclaimed with IMPD have typically been scrapped. With this donation, the bikes will instead be put to use in Freewheelin’s retail store and through their Earn-a-Bike program.
Freewheelin’s Earn-a-Bike program pairs kids between the ages of 10 and 18 with a mentor to learn basic bike mechanic skills, along with life skills such as perseverance, problem-solving, focus and accountability. When they finish the program, they receive a reconditioned bike, a lock, and a helmet.
IMPD North District officers are involved with Freewheelin’ through volunteer work in the Washington Park skills course.
