Have you seen news videos showing Palestinians streaming on foot from Gaza to escape the bombing of their neighborhoods and homes?  They walk quickly, young parents with children wrapped in blankets while older family members struggle to keep up.  Most carry backpacks jammed with necessities and luggage stuffed with clothing.  Wooden carts roll along holding furniture and family treasurers.  Occasionally, bicycles are seen too, piled high with other personal belongings.     

The Pedal Power ministry at Beargrass began in January of 2013 by promising to find and repair 50 bicycles for a group of refugees at KRM.  Details of early days have grown foggy, but memories of these KRM families remain vivid.  Since then, our bike project has dramatically changed.  Last year we repaired and distributed over 1000 bicycles to community ministries, homeless camps, Christian missions, and refugees from a variety of continents and countries, including the Middle East.   

After eleven years about one third of all bicycles have been given to refugee men, women and children.  These bicycles were repaired by volunteers, not trained mechanics. Brakes were rarely perfect but always adequate to stop bikes safely.  Chains struggled to shift smoothly from one cassette to another but slid well enough to climb hills.  Gears were sometimes broken or bent but still dependable on short rides.  Make, model, age, color, and condition were not important to these families. 

To refugees, bicycles are welcome reminders of good days in the past and serve as symbols of freedom in a new land.  They respond with appreciation and gratitude.  The bikes bring back fond loving memories of homes left behind.    

About Pedal Power Ministry:

This Ministry Team empowers folks in Louisville by providing refurbished/rebuilt bikes. Our volunteer team delivers on average 850 bikes a year to those in need in our community. Since its beginning in 2013, Pedal Power has delivered close to 8,500 bikes to individuals in need of reliable transportation. We have several strong partnerships with nonprofits and for-profit companies in Louisville such as Community Ministries, Homeless Ministries, Prison Resettlement Services, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and Greater Louisville YMCA. We have a repair team that requires an understanding of bicycle components along with most repair skills and an interest to learn more about bicycle maintenance and a willingness to serve. We also have a social media team that spreads the Pedal Power message in our community with an understanding of social media sources and the ability to communicate and navigate within and through these sources. Please contact Pedal Power to get involved by serving or donating.