'My Bike' Program to Provide New Bikes for Kids with Disabilities

Learning to ride a bike is a typical rite of passage. But for children with disabilities, being able to ride on their own represents much more than a recreational activity.

The experience of riding in the fresh air, alongside friends, and feeling independent and carefree, can do wonders for a child's social and physical well-being.

The "My Bike" program, an initiative by Variety the Children’s Charity, works to enrich the lives of children with disabilities by providing such equipment.

Today, a number of special needs children are expected to receive adaptive bikes during a presentation at Bayer attended by local, state and county officials. 

"It will be an extraordinary and noteworthy day for our community with significant relevance for the nation in serving children with disabilities," said Zach March of Variety. 

The Robinson non-profit began giving adaptive bikes a decade ago, under its "Kids on the Go" program. 

With support from Gov. Tom Corbett and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Variety kicked off its “My Bike” program on Nov. 5.  The program has since increased access to bikes for children with disabilities throughout its 10-county service area, which includes: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. 

By Christmas, 92 children had received adaptive bikes in the first phase of the program, the charity said. 

Today will conclude the second phase of the program in which even more children with disabilities are expected to be presented with an adaptive bike thanks to community support. The cost to sponsor one adaptive bike is $1,800.

Corbett, Fitzgerald and Congressman Tim Murphy are expected to join together at “The Gift of ‘My Bike’ at Bayer” alongside Jerry MacCleary, president of Bayer Material Science, Variety CEO Charlie LaVallee, and Variety children and their families. 

Officials are expected to highlight program's significant impact, including eight county grassroots initiatives that began in February 2012 as a result, and the opportunity for the “My Bike” program to serve as a model for the rest of the state and the nation. New goals will also be unveiled. 

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