Edmonton residents gathered on Saturday for a special event aimed at connecting children with disabilities to the perfect adaptive bicycle or handcycle. Hosted at the Goodwill Alberta location on 168 Street, the Try-A-Bike day forms a key part of the You Can Ride 2 initiative, launched in 2003 by strategic director Janine Halayko.
Empowering Children Through Mobility
The program focuses on enabling young participants to experience the joy of cycling for the first time. Emily Kim, the program manager, highlighted the event’s impact during the gathering. “We help kids with different disabilities ride bikes for the first time and just experience freedom and independence,” she explained. Kim emphasized how the activity fosters a sense of agency, noting, “Every kid can remember riding a bike for the first time. It’s a rite of passage to have.”
Program Resources and Support
You Can Ride 2 maintains a collection of more than 200 adaptive bikes ready for use. Families can bring their own bicycles for custom modifications by skilled mechanics. The initiative also includes a six-week educational program held during the summer, teaching participants essential riding skills and safety practices.
Volunteer mechanic Keith Heslinga shared insights into the program’s origins. He recalled how Halayko identified unused bikes in family garages that could be repurposed for various needs, gradually amassing donations over two decades. Now, Heslinga and his team dedicate the winter months to tailoring bikes for each child who attends events like this one. “It’s super gratifying. It’s amazing to watch the kids trying out bikes and take them and get some freedom,” he said.
Real Stories of Transformation
Longtime participant Lonnie Willier attended with his daughter Addelyn, who has been involved in the program for five years. Willier described the positive changes in her life: “It gives her that freedom to go out, bike with other kids, exercise, just do more stuff outside.” He added with a smile, “In the last couple of years we’ve had to start jogging to keep up with her.”
Events like Try-A-Bike day underscore the program’s role in promoting inclusivity and physical activity, allowing children to embrace outdoor adventures on their own terms.
