Elijah Crawford, 8; Dad Jon Crawford; and Ian Crawford, 5 at Bike Swap Today.  Nickolas, the Oldest, is Missing From the Photograph.

Bonnie Wedster, A First Year Volunteer. Sorry I Chopped Off Your Head, But The Sun Was so Bright, This Blogger Could Not See!

Tim McLaine and Emily Eschner, Two Volunteers at Todays Bike Swap.

John Williams, the new Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition. A Biker, Although this is the First Swap he Has Attended.

For Jon Crawford, attending the annual Bike Swap in the parking lot at USM, Portland, is a ritual.  With three young sons, they outgrow their bikes quickly.  The annual event is a good place to buy inexpensive, used bikes and support the Portland based Bicycle Coalition Crawford said late this morning.  Elijah, 8 and Ian, 5 both got new bikes today.  Nickolas, the oldest of the three sons, did not need a new bike this  year.

Elijah  said he likes his new bike because it is “fast” and “has nice brakes.”  Ian said he likes his new bike because it has “fluffy” tires and ” it feels good when I use the brakes.”  The family lives in Casco and Jon works for BIW, Bath.

The Swap started around fifteen (15) years ago by Davis Carver, owner of Bath Cycle & Ski.  Initially, it was run at Deering High School. Carver ran it for about seven (7) years and then agreed to hand it off to the Bicycle Coalition because he saw the potential for a fundraiser said Fred Robie, a board member of the Coalition who knows Carver.  Robie was happy to take the hand-off for the Coalition.

Bonnie Wedster was volunteering for the first year.  Last year she bought a bike and decided to return as a volunteer.  Her task and that of others was to make certain that the bikes are safe for the potential purchasers.  That includes being sure there is air in the tires, that the brakes are working well and that the chains are in good condition. Volunteers also adjust the seat heights with tools they supply themselves. (See above right photo of Bonnie.)

After that inspection, bikers with helmets were free to ride around the improvised track in the parking lot.  That gives the potential purchaser an opportunity to try out the bike and see if they want to buy it.  Or not.

The Bike Coalition serves as an advocate to make Maine towns and cities more bike-friendly, it works for bike-friendly laws at the state and federal level, teach bike and pedestrian safety to children and adults and promotes all types of riding and provides access to affordable bikes while encouraging children to walk and bike to school where possible.

For more information, visit the website:  bikemaine.org or email Frank Gallagher, Communications Director, frank@bikemaine.org