And a match funded one too if you can swing it :-)

If you have a loose dollar or two and you feel this is a reasonable use for it, toss it in the e-bucket, match fund it if you are fortunate enough to have the option. It will be much appreciated and well used.

Read on for my BNB origin story...

BNB checks a lot of boxes for me - as you would suspect, given that this is my 8th outing - local and global perspective, empowerment of individuals, investment in communities, considered reuse of valuable resources. And bikes! 

There was a man in our neighborhood back in Scotland, Raymond, a retiree, who would accept unwanted bikes, fix them up and sell them on for the cost of the parts. He would also undertake minor repairs such as punctures, tire replacement, maybe helping you add a cool new set of handlebars or stop your brakes squealing. As well as putting a "new" bike within reach of those who may not otherwise have been able to obtain one. 

He taught. Not formally. But as he was repairing your bike he would explain what he was doing, demystifying the process and empowering you by putting repairs within your reach. He was also there for the more challenging items, say, in the aftermath of transitioning a poorly constructed ramp at high speed for instance, but even those more challenging repairs became more approachable.

BNB epitomizes that memory to me particularly through the Earn a Bike Youth Program where teens learn bike safety and mechanic skills in the process of earning bikes to keep is a great initiative. Grow social skills, technical skills and get a bike at the end of it - genius.