Bikes for Farmworkers is in need of two-wheeled donations
Volunteers of Bikes for Farmworkers are looking at this past summer as an outstanding start for the group, but they are already looking ahead to next spring.
They need bikes, says founder Mike Gaudet, to keep them busy through the winter, and to have ready for migrant workers as they arrive next year.
Since last March, the fledgling community organization refurbished and distributed 270 donated bikes to farm workers and repaired 168 workers’ bikes, says Gaudet.
With plans to refurbish 100 donated bikes in 2017, co-founders Gaudet and Terry Weiner say they are pleased with this year’s progress. Their sights are now set on 2018. Volunteers will refurbish bikes throughout the fall and winter in their workshop at former Virgil Public School.
Bike donations are welcome anytime.
“The response from Niagara region communities has been overwhelming,” says Gaudet.
“Once we put out a call for bicycle donations in March, our phones started ringing and continued through the fall.”
Donations came from residents in Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Thorold and beyond, he says.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s migrant farm workers, many of whom come from the Caribbean and Mexico, begin arriving in March. Bicycles are their only means of personal transportation, allowing them to travel to local stores for food and personal shopping, access health and wellness services agencies, and attend social gatherings.
Gaudet and Weiner started by refurbishing 40 donated bikes in their garages. In January 2017 they set up their workshop in the old school, and since then have developed a network of local businesses to help source bicycle repair supplies. They also attracted a few volunteer mechanics to help repair bikes.
In June, they received a Niagara Community Foundation grant to help create a long-term, sustainable program, with the support of Positive Living Niagara/Niagara Migrant Workers’ Interest Group.
Gaining that partner was a game changer, says Weiner.
“Their backing allowed us to increase our profile in the community and access a grant that is helping us create a sustainable operation to service farm workers for years to come.”
This year, the group was able to provide bikes to workers at 12 local farms, but there are many more farms in the area that can benefit from the program. It is also working to make more farmers aware of its services and is offering to also repair farm bikes during the coming winter.
Bikes for Farmworkers’ mission is to be a source of low-cost, safe, road-worthy bicycles and free repair services for Niagara-on-theLake’s migrant workers.
For more information, to arrange for a bike pickup or to volunteer, contact Gaudet at 647-963-6668 or Weiner at 905-321-8638.