Bikes for Goodness Sake

Bikes for Goodness Sake

Written by Tiffany Young Friday, 27 June 2008

Rarely does the design of a logo lead to a new company and a charitable foundation in just a few months, but that’s what happened when an employee of Buck’s Bikes, Mark Smith, designed a new logo for the company’s T-shirts in December.

Smith’s logo, named Sprocket, incorporates a bicycle sprocket and a smiley face and was the inspiration for Bike is Good, a cycling apparel and accessories company that gives back to the community and promotes the goodness of bikes and the goodwill of people who love cycling. Buck’s Bikes owner Pete Buck and Smith set up a charitable foundation, Bikes For Goodness Sake, which collects 20 percent of Bike is Good profits.

The purpose of BFGS is to give bikes to underprivileged children and needy commuters through bike shop partners and dedicated sponsors.

“Our vision is to share BFGS with other bike shops and show them how they, and their communities, can benefit from sharing and the generosity of the cycling community,” Smith said. “We intend to be in 2,000 shops around the U.S. in two years.”

Just in time for Independence Day, BFGS, with the help of Buck’s Bikes, is planning its first project, which will give away new bikes to 50 children of soldiers in the Austin community. Tom Harr, an employee who is in the United States Army Reserves, introduced the idea.

For every Buck’s Bikes customer who buys a bike and decides to donate money towards BFGS, the store will match the donation up to $10.

Children selected by Camp Mabry to receive bikes will be invited, along with their families, to Buck’s Bikes on July 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. for a Rudy’s Bar-B-Q breakfast and to be fitted for new helmets and bikes.

“I remember the feeling that I had when I got my first bike; in fact, every new bike that I got. There is nothing like the freedom and the joy a bike gives,” Smith said of why he is passionate about BFGS. “Couple that with all of the societal benefits and that is something that I feel compelled to share and promote.”

Bikes for Goodness Sake Foundation, an organization that plans to donate “Good Bikes for Good Kids,” has submitted paperwork for nonprofit status and is awaiting approval.

For more information, or to nominate someone you know, visit BikesFGS.org.

Bike safety tips courtesy of Bike is Good

Pre-Ride ABCs

A: Air — Check your bike’s tire pressure. A low tire is likely to get more flats and wear faster than a properly inflated tire.

B: Brakes — Test brakes before a ride to make sure they work properly.

C: Chain — Check chain lubrication and make sure the chain is running properly.

During the ride

• Always wear a helmet. It should be snug but not tight.

• Think like a car. Cyclists must obey the same traffic laws as motorists.
• Make eye contact with drivers at stop signs. Make sure they see you and know what you are doing.
• Use hand signals to indicate turning or stopping.
• Use lights after dark — a red light in the rear and white light in the front. It is the law.
• Cycle with someone, but not side-by-side. Two cyclists are more easily seen than one. If an accident happens, someone is there to help.

This spring, Bike is Good began visiting local schools and organizations to teach bicycle safety to children. It also sets up booths at wellness days at corporations and teaches safety at bike rodeos in neighborhoods. To have Bike is Good representatives attend an event or speak to an organization, call 897-1641 or visit www.bikeisgood.com.

Bikes for Goodness Sake Foundation, 12530 Research Blvd., 897-1641