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Show In aninspired Indianapolis program, kids who can't afford a bicycle can get one—and some valuable lessonsforsuccess. They Karn Their Bikes OGER SMITH, 14, got the bicycle ofhis dreams in December —a shiny red model with thick, heavytires and al] the trimmings of a top-of-the-line machine.“It’s a mountain bike,” the eighthgrader explainedas he inspected his gleaming newtreasure. “I’ve always wanted a mountain bike.” Roger got his wish in time for Christmas, but Approximately 90 to 100 youngsters sign up for the program every year. Only about 55 remain long enough to earn a bike. In theirfirst few sessions, newcomersare taught about good work habits in a shop environment, as well as the importance of cooperation, orderand discipline. After three sessions, they pick the bike they wantand begin workingtoward it. The bike with theleast value can be earned after 25 hoursof labor. Roger Smith’s high-tech model took 110 hoursto earn. Youngsters work with adult volunteers after school or on weekends, overhauling and rehabilitating donated bikes. Advanced students serve as apprentices. They can spend no = more thanhalf their time working on § the bike they are tryingto earn. “Some his new bicycle had nothing to do with Santa Claus. He gotit the oldfashioned way: Heearnedit. Theslightly run-down Indianapolis storefront where Rogerpicked up his rom —— => = ie prize provides bicycles only to young people—mostly between 9 and 14— and it doesn’t take cash forits wares. =kidsare little selfish with their time Its customers pay for their bikes by < whentheyfirst come in,” said John working and by learning, notjust aboutbikesbut also aboutlife. mer im. = Wentland, the lead instructor of the project. “They want to work only on “You can earn a bike here if you their bikes. But, as they progress, we demonstrate that you have learned to see them wantingto pitch in and work take care of it responsibly and ride together more.” Someparticipants it safely,” Charles Hammond, execalso repair bikes for neighborhood utive director of the program, told # customers and receive pay. The techme. “You have to showresponsibilnical progressof the children is monity toward others and toward builditored by short written exercises and ing yourself up. Kids respondto that.” Six years ago, Hammondwasdriva final exam. Their personal growth is harder to measure. Charles Haming to his job at a firmthat designed mond holds meetings with the youths educational programs whenhespotted two bicyclesin the trash in front to discuss their responsibilities to each other and to themselves. of a house.“I started thinking thatthis The project seemsto have made an could be a good community-service impacton thelives of its members. One project, to get these bikes for kids who couldn’t afford them,” he recalled. becamea state championbikeracer. When Hammondrangthe doorbell, Another was onceincarcerated but now the woman whoansweredlistened to worksfor the program. Roger Smith, 14 (r), and Mike his idea and,after some hesitation, gave Last year, Hammond Hiscox, 13, repair a bike. him the bikes. Unbeknownst to Hamhelped set up satellite Right: Charles Hammond,39, executive director of the mond,she also mentioned him to her program in Boston. SimBicycle Action Project. husband, an editor for The Jndianapolis ilar ventures have begun Star. Two weekslater, Hammond got a in St. Louis and four hentheyfirst come tn,” call from the newspaper. “They ran a othercities in the U.S. story about a projectthat didn’t exist Experts have evaluated yet, and we got 200 bikes,” he recalled. the project to see if—and Atfirst, Hammondplannedto enlist why—it works. Butit’s the help of somefriends,fix the bikes doubtful that they will and give themto needy kids. “Then I find a better explanation gota call from someone whohad read than the one that Roger the article,” he said. “He never gave Smith, a four-year memtheirbikes. But, as they progress, we see them W, his name, but he suggested the idea of ber of the program, gave a work incentive instead ofa giveaway to me after he picked up program. And I knewinstantly that his bike. I asked Rogerif he planned to return. “Of course,” he he wasright.” The Bicycle Action Project was born. the obvious attraction of getting a bike without payWith the help of dozens of volunteers and a grant ing forit, and kids havethetimeit takes. Many kids said. “Every time I come back, I learn something.” [8 from Lilly Endowment Inc., a private charitable have too much time, with nothing constructive to foundation, Hammondopenedupastorefront. “Re- do withit.” Besides the Earn-A-Bike program, ac- Forinformation, write Bicycle Action Project, 948 N. AlabamaSt., Dept. P, Indianapolis, Ind. 94602. cruiting has never been a problem,” he said. “There's tivities include dirt-bike racing and group rides. says John Wentland, an instructor, “some kids are a little selfish with their time. Theyjust want to work on wanting to pitch in and work together more.” _ B Y MICH A’ EL R Y A N PAGE 12: JUNE 5, 1994 » PARADE MAGAZINE |