Since 2008, it has been our goal to reward hardworking students.
About Us
How We Started
Pedal Power was founded in 2008 by Nicole and Bennett Basil. When Nicole was eight years old she had outgrown her favorite bike of all time. The bike was pink with purple streamers and she absolutely loved this bike. When it was time to get rid of it she wanted it to go to the right person. She wanted the receiver to be someone who deserved it. Through this dream and with the help of her family and local businesses, Pedal Power was formed.
When the Event Takes Place
Our donation event takes place annually in the fall. Several locations to drop off bikes throughout the Chicagoland area can be found on the location page.
The Day of the Event
On the day of the event, families drop off bikes they want to donate and a quick safety test is run on them. We then put the bikes in trucks and drive them to inner city schools in Chicago. There, the bikes are stored until they are awarded to the children during honor roll assemblies.
Bike Recipients
On the big day of the award ceremony, children who made the honor roll pick out the bike of their choice from the collection of donated bikes. These gently used, outgrown bikes find a new home with a hard-working student.
Bike Totals
Over the past 12 years we have collected and distributed more than 4,800 donated bikes!
The Overall Effect
Not only are kids receiving bikes, but they are also learning important life lessons: working hard pays off. The bikes are not the only gift that is received; the gift of hard work and determination is also given.