Taking Off the Training Wheels

In 1971, Oregon became the first state to pass a bicycle bill, which requires the state to accommodate cyclists and walkers on all new road projects. In 2005, Oregon became the first state with official scenic bikeways. This year, you have the chance to give a child one of the greatest senses of freedom: riding a bike. Shift Community Cycles, in collaboration with Free Bikes for Kidz, is making sure children from low-income backgrounds have access to bicycles. Free Bikes for Kidz provides bikes for kids ranging from toddlers to high schoolers, but the need for children’s bikes, including tricycles, is the most dire. From 10 am to 3 pm Sunday, Oct. 13, used children’s bikes can be dropped off at any Market of Choice location in Eugene — as well as Sheldon High School and Willamette High School — to be collected for donation.The Bike Giveaway event will be on Dec. 14, but until then Shift Community Cycles is seeking volunteers to help refurbish the donated bikes. On Dec. 14, kids will be fitted for bikes, as well as given helmets and practice riding on a safety course. They will even have the option to customize their bikes with stickers. Josh Goldfarb, the director of Shift Community Cycles, says kids having a bike can teach them more than just balancing on two wheels. “The bicycle can represent independence, and it’s a way young people can learn responsibility and have fun at the same time,” Goldfarb says. “Taking ownership of a bike represents many different things, and for a lot of kids that’s freedom.”

Free Bikes for Kids’ Bike Collection Day is 10 am to 3 pm Sunday, Oct. 13, at any Market of Choice location in Eugene, and at Bob Keefer Center, 250 South 32nd Street in Springfield.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!