Brooklyn Center Cyclist Introduces Schoolchildren to Accessible Bikes
A Brooklyn Center bus driver-turned-cycling enthusiast is bringing more accessible bikes to area kids.
On Thursday, May 24, students at Star of the North Academy in East Bethel were abuzz with early morning energy. That’s because they were at the day they’ve been anticipating all school year.
“‘When is bike day’ they ask me. ‘When is bike day?’ Every day they (ask): ‘How many days until bike day?'” said Star of the North administrative assistant Susan Wong.
This is the school’s third annual bike day. It’s a chance for these kids to get a special taste of recumbent bikes — bikes that allow riders to sit lower to the ground in a reclining position.
“I think it’s very empowering for them,” Wong said. “It helps them with their self esteem, their social-emotional skills and lots of fun for everybody.”
A Star of the North student rides through Eddie’s course in East Bethel.
Wong helped bring the program to the K-8 charter school in East Bethel, but the bikes came from Brooklyn Center. That’s thanks to someone they call “Special Eddie.”
“Eddie was the bus driver for a lot of these kiddos for quite a few years, and the kids love him,” Wong said. “He’s just so energetic and engaging with the kids.”
“Special Eddie,” or Eddie Atkinson, brought a load of bikes to the school. Within the load was a variety of recumbent bikes of all sizes, for all abilities.
“Kids just want to play — They just want to have fun. We have to let them do that,” Atkinson said.
Cycling for Everyone
Atkinson collected the bikes over the past few years to help kids and families get outside. He said he originally started the collection specifically for people looking to get into recumbents, but soon branched off to serve people from all walks of life.
Many of his bikes were purchased from people who used them a single time. He said his program gives the bikes new life.
Typically, his bikes are accessible by a subscription ride model — but he’s also been able to help kids across the country. He brought one fixed-up bike to a family in Colorado, who now competes in the Special Olympics.
At his school events, Eddie just hopes to help kids in the Twin Cities.
Wong said besides it being a very exciting event for students, it’s also a good opportunity to try something new.
“A lot of these kids may have not had the opportunity to ride a bike before,” she said. “Now, they have an opportunity to do that.”
Eddie Atkinson helps adjust one of the recumbent bikes for a student.
This opportunity is exactly what keeps Atkinson going. His energy is infectious as he sets each Star of the North kid, aged kindergarten through eighth grade, off on their way. He said one of the best parts is seeing their gratitude.
“Disabled or regular ed students can ride them — even adults,” he said. “You don’t have to ride fast. These bikes aren’t made for riding fast, they’re made for riding for comfort.”
Special Eddie’s Bikes and Trikes has a wide variety of bikes for rental. He also holds school and family rides in the community, which he posts about on his Facebook page.
If you’d like more details about Atkinson’s programming, you can follow his Facebook or contact him at eddie@edsbikesandtrikes.club.
