LYNNWOOD — Firefighter John Gidding was 10 years old when his dad gave him his first real bike, a red three-speed Schwinn.
His father polished and fine-tuned the used bicycle for him, turning it into a ride Gidding cherished for years.
"It was a very cool bike. I rode that a lot," he said, as he cleaned the front wheel of a kid’s red bike, one of eight that firefighters are donating to the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women.
"I hope the kid who gets this bike feels the same as I did," Gidding said.
Ten firefighters transformed the district’s Hilltop fire station into a bicycle workshop last week, meticulously cleaning and repairing every bike — even taking them on short test rides.
"We want to make these look as good as possible for the kids," said Capt. Andy Speier, who planned the project.
Speier, who decided to move here after bike trips to Washington state, owns 14 bicycles. In 1998 he rode across the country with Giddings, staying in fire stations along the way. The five-week trip took them to Speier’s former fire station in New York.
Using parts donated from three local bike shops, Speier and other firefighters pulled off worn tires, grimy handle grips and rusty chains.
"To look at this bike now and say it’s going to be something is exciting," Speier said, as he replaced a torn seat on a small blue bike.
The bike also got new tires, improved grips, some touch-up paint and plenty of elbow grease.
"We’ll scrub it up and give it a little TLC, and it will be good to go," he said.
Bikes are one of the best presents a kid can get, said Speier, who received a bicycle from his grandparents after he completed the sixth grade.
"It gives a kid freedom and independence," he said. "It lets them travel, and it’s great exercise."
It’s an especially meaningful gift for the children living in transitional housing at the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women, said Vicci Hilty the center’s resource development director.
The center housed 55 women and children there in the past year, she said.
"When you’re homeless or in a situation where the security of a safe home has been taken away from you, the opportunity to have something as wonderful as a bicycle is huge," Hilty said. "It begins the recovery process of reclaiming your life.
"We’re just so blessed to be in a community that gives and gives and gives."
Firefighters are also donating bicycle helmets with each bike.
"I hope they enjoy these bikes. The guys certainly enjoyed the time they put into them," Speier said. "We hope they have a good Christmas and that things brighten up for them."
Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
