May 8/20 11:55 am - Specialized Canada Donates Bikes to Essential Workers

Posted by Editoress on 05/8/20
 

Specialized Canada has donated 50 bikes to essential workers across Canada to use for transportation during the pandemic. With the reductions in public transit and isolation from families and homes, many workers have a need for transportation.

According to Jean-Paul Paloux, Lead of Retail Elevation at Specialized Canada, "this [initiative] started in the U.S. with 500 bikes across the country; mostly in New York City where they needed them the most. So in Canada, we decided to do the same thing with 50 bikes."

Through social media, they invited essential workers to apply and, over four days, received a staggering 7,000 applications. From these, 50 people were selected from across the country to receive bikes - an Alibi hybrid model, with puncture-proof airless tires. The people keep the bikes permanently.

JP says that bikes were assembled by local dealers and either picked up or dropped off for people who lived too far away to come in and pick them up. In the Montreal area - where Specialized Canada has its headquarters - JP and staff delivered the bikes themselves.

"It was very touching," said JP, "these people are working very hard for all of us."

Note:  Are other Canadian cycling industry members doing something to help? Let us know!