Bicycle Longmont 28th Annual KIDS’ Holiday Bike Program •Cash donations that will be used to buy parts and helmets can be mailed to Bicycle Longmont, 25 Price Road No. 37, Longmont, Colo. 80501. Donations are also accepted online at www.bicyclelongmont.org, which also lists volunteer opportunities. •Bicycle Longmont is holding a bike drive on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Roosevelt Park. Bring your unwanted kids’ bikes, and volunteers will be on hand. • Bikes will be given out at the Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA branch on Dec. 12. • Bikes can also be dropped off at Longmont Fire Stations. •For more information, contact info@bicyclelongmont.org or sign up to help at signupgenius.com.

Let’s face it. Owning a bicycle is pretty much the law in Boulder County, but they can be pricey and out of reach for low-income kids.

Bicycle Longmont has spent the last 28 years collecting, fixing up and handing out bikes to kids who need them — it’s called the Kid’s Holiday Bike Program, and it is underway.

There’s one problem. “Our bike donations are way down this year,” Bicycle Longmont President Ryan Kragerud said. “We need to get 150 or 160 new bikes in order to meet our goal of 200 bikes.”

Kris Kooiman, coordinator for the holiday bike program, said that his organization works with the Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA branch, 950 Lashley St., to get bikes to low income and special needs kids during the holiday season.

“Last year, we did around 230 bikes,” he said. “We gave away every single bike that got donated.”

The organization is holding a bike drive on Saturday at Roosevelt Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers will be on hand to take unwanted bikes off of people’s hands.

Kooiman said that his Bicycle Longmont always needs volunteers to help work on the bikes, and no bike knowledge is needed. Organizers are looking for people with two hours to spare between Nov. 1 and Dec. 12 for community bike build days at Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel, 1800 Pike Rd. and the YMCA.

Bicycle Longmont also needs donations to pay for parts and supplies.

Buzz Feldman started the program in 1988, and organizers have given out thousands of bikes over the years.

YMCA Healthy Living Staff Director Jessica Fernandez said her organization works with other community groups to connect with families who can take advantage of the bike giveaway.

“For some of these children, it might be the only gift they receive,” Fernandez said. “It’s amazing for families who might otherwise not be able to buy a bike for their child.’

She said that a bike is more than just a mode of transportation, but something fun, safe and active for children to do, and also a great way for community members to chip in and help out someone in need.

“That is what the Y is for — youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” she said. “This program really brings those three things together.”

John Bear: 303-684-5212, bearj@timescall.com or twitter.com/johnbearwithme