Kick The Training Wheels Off With These Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a bike for my child?

All of our bikes are given away through a network of non-profits, community organizations, churches and schools. We have already worked with many organizations, and more apply to receive bikes every year. The best way to get a bike is to contact one of these types of organizations in your neighborhood and ask if they are connected with FB4K. If not, ask them to consider applying to receive bikes from FB4K. Organizations can apply for bikes here.

How do I donate a bike?

We can only accept bikes on our annual drop-off date. To find out when our next drop-off date is, visit our Donation Information page. Please consider hanging onto bikes until the next drop-off date, if you are able to, rather than selling or donating them to Goodwill, etc. If you can also donate $25 in addition to your bike, that will virtually cover the cost for us to get your bike back in ‘good as new’ condition for its next owner.

What kind of bikes is FB4K Omaha looking for?

Free Bikes 4 Kidz is looking for new or gently used bikes of any size (including Strider bikes with no pedals). We are looking for bikes that are in good, rideable condition and need minimal work in order to get them looking and running well. We are not looking for bikes that are rusted, missing wheels, bent wheels, or basically in “rough” shape. We want to give away bikes that look good and are safe and fun to ride. We want the kids to be excited to receive these bikes. We don’t have the time or resources to fix up severely damaged bikes.

Is FB4K Omaha a 501(c)(3) non-profit? Can I contribute financially to FB4K and help get more bikes to kids?

Yes. And yes. We are a registered non-profit so 100% of your contribution is tax deductible. (You will receive a receipt from us for all contributions.) We gladly accept monetary donations of any amount. We spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 to get each bike in tip-top shape, so even small donations will help get more bikes to more kids. Our all-volunteer board ensures that about 90% of all contributions go directly toward bikes for kids — only a small percentage is used to cover other costs. Visit our Financial Donations page, where you will be able to make a donation online using your credit card. Or, if you would rather, you can send a check to our mailing address, also listed on our Contact Us page.

I would like to volunteer my time to help. What can I do?

We need many volunteers to clean, repair, and help us give away bikes. Our volunteer season is October through November of each year. We love people who have mad bike repair skills, but if you don’t have that ability, we still desperately need you. If you can clean a bike with some spray and a rag, we need you. If you can pump up tires we need you. If you can change tires and lube chains and hubs, we need you. If you can help us move, load, and unload bikes, we need you.

Here’s what you do. Go to the Volunteer page and register. You can register as an individual, or you can register a whole group that you are bringing along with you. You can choose the day and the time slot, and you can tell us what your skill level is. We generally have drinks and snacks available for our volunteers… plus we throw a huge party after the dust clears in December and ALL volunteers are invited.

How does my non-profit, community organization, church, or school get on FB4K Omaha’s radar so that we can be recipients of bikes?

You can Apply 4 Bikes online and tell us about your organization – what you do, where you’re located, your history, if you are a registered non-profit, etc. After you apply, you’ll be connected with the board member who is in charge of coordinating and facilitating this process. Past benefitting organizations must re-apply each year.

I don’t live in Omaha, but would like to start a Free Bikes 4 Kidz affiliate in my city. Can you help me do that?

Great question. FB4K is in many cities around the US, and always looking to open new chapters. Please get in touch with Terry Esau (terry@fb4k.org), our Executive Director, for more details.

I work in the media and would like to help tell your story. Who should I contact?

Steph Dorland (info@fb4komaha.org) is in charge of Communications & Media Relations for Free Bikes 4 Kidz Omaha, and she would be happy to talk with you or connect you with others in the organization. We believe we have a great success story that has only just begun. Thanks for helping us spread the… “Good Wheel to All, and to All a Good Bike!”