This is the Padua Podcast Network. Running a Fever, Episode 470, Cycling in Northwest Arkansas, Part 6, Pedal It Forward, Increasing Access to Bikes in Northwest Arkansas for Health, Transportation, or Recreation. Welcome to Running a Fever, where we’re all about living stronger, longer, and healthier lives. Now, I haven’t talked about cycling much over the years, but if you’ve listened to the show for a while, you know I believe movement is movement.

And around here in Northwest Arkansas, cycling is huge. It’s everywhere. Trails, events, community rides. It’s hard not to get curious about it.

So today we’re shining a light on an organization that’s doing something truly powerful with bikes. Pedal It Forward is a non-profit organization that takes donated bicycles, refurbishes them with the help of volunteer mechanics, and places them in the hands of people who need them. Kids, adults, families, veterans, folks in recovery, people getting back on their feet, anyone who could use the freedom and opportunity a bike provides. They’ve got locations in Bentonville, Rogers, and Springdale.

They even sell used bikes to help sustain the mission. And while the bikes they give away are free, they encourage recipients to donate what they can, with a $25 goal, to help keep the program going. Every bike also goes out with a free helmet. What I love is how deeply connected they are in the community.

Their partner organizations include schools, mental health clinics, the VA, youth and family programs, drug courts, churches, homeless shelters, and more. Everywhere there’s a need, there’s often a bike from Pedal It Forward making a real difference. Of course, any effort this big takes resources. Even with donated bikes, there are costs for parts, helmets, shop space, and outreach.

But thanks to volunteers, partners, and the generosity of people here in Northwest Arkansas, they put more and more riders on bikes every single day. I tried to get an interview with someone from Pedal It Forward, but they said they were so busy repairing bikes that they couldn’t spare any time. But the invitation is open, and anyone who wants to come on the show and talk about the great things Pedal It Forward is doing is welcome. So, I hope you enjoyed learning more about Pedal It Forward.

For now, this concludes my series on cycling in Northwest Arkansas, but I’m sure cycling will play a role in Running a Fever’s content going forward. Stay tuned. And if you’ve got the fever, keep it burning, and if you don’t, catch the fever. And I will see you next time on Running a Fever.