Copyright Arkansas Online
BELLA VISTA -- People have an opportunity this week to support both local cycling and local history. Pedal It Forward is collaborating with the Bella Vista Historical Museum to host a bike drive supporting the nonprofit cycling organization as well as a bicycle raffle to raise money for the museum. Pedal it Forward collects used bicycles, refurbishes them and distributes them all across Northwest Arkansas to anyone who needs a bike. "We do it for all ages, all types of bikes, along with helmets, locks and bike accessories," said organization spokesman Kenny Williams. "The mission is to provide to anyone." With its team of volunteers and contributors, the organization gave away about 3,100 bicycles last year alone. "We are taking them apart, putting them together, shining them up," Williams said. "We are getting all these used bikes just safe to ride and usable before we give them away." The bike drive will take place Saturday at the museum at 1885 Bella Vista Way in Bella Vista, and residents can drop of bicycles from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Residents are encouraged to donate any bicycles regardless of size or condition, including those in need of repair, according to Williams. The group also accepts any bike parts or accessories. "These bike drives are a great way to pull inventory from the community," Williams said. "We're just asking anyone who has a bike that they would like to donate, bring it to the Museum on Nov. 1." The organization will also be raffling off a "really cool throwback Schwinn bike to help the museum raise a little bit of money," he added. The museum posted about the raffle on its social media pages, stating the bike is a Schwinn "Grey Ghost" replica bike worth $755. It includes ape handlebars and a banana seat, according to the post. "This is a great way to support the Bella Vista Museum and possibly win a Schwinn 'Greg Ghost' bike," the post states. The money raised will go toward an expansion project, according to the museum. Raffle tickets are on sale now at the museum for $5 each or six for $25, according to the post. The drawing will take place at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. This weekend's event is an example of Pedal It Forward's work with other area nonprofits, which the group refers to as "Pedal Partners." Partners range from small entities who may need a single bike to larger partners, like UAMS and the Veteran's Administration. Organizations can also submit an order for bikes, including schools, homeless shelters or addiction recovery programs. There are three workshops used by Pedal It Forward, including its main office at 3902 N.W. Wishing Springs Drive. There is also one in Rogers and one at the Jones Center in Springdale. Essentially, each location includes bike tools, bike parts and broken bikes. "We have three or four days a week that we have eight to 10 volunteers in here just working on bikes together," Williams added. "Anybody can join. You don't have to be an expert bike mechanic to volunteer for us. "Many of our volunteers come in and end up loving it. Then we have people that have come every Wednesday morning for years on end. It just becomes part of their lives." The bike repairs take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays and from 9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visit PedalItForward.org and click the volunteer button to schedule an hourlong orientation. For more information about the bike drive or the organization, please call (479) 222-1080 or follow @PedalItForwardNWA on social media. "We believe in the power of the bicycle," Williams said. "So, whether that is for transportation, recreation or health -- all are ways that a bicycle can improve somebody's life. We just believe that everybody should have access to a working one. We get them fixed up and give them away as fast as we can."
