Robert Barnes relocated to Glen Arbor about a year and a half ago, having vacationed in the area with his wife for the past 25 years. With his family visiting since the 1950s, Barnes has always cherished opportunities to reside on the peninsula.
“We bought some land a few years ago, about 20 years actually. And finally made the move,” Barnes said.
After a 20-year career as an automotive engineer, Barnes transitioned to teaching high school for 17 years before retiring last year. Barnes has been involved with a bike project for over five years.
“Free Bikes 4 Kidz Detroit” (FB4K) is a nonprofit organization aiming to provide every child with the joy and freedom of riding their first bike. Over the past five years, they’ve assisted more than 12,000 kids in the Detroit area by providing new bikes and helmets.
In 2023 alone, the organization distributed over 2,000 bikes.
With a passion for cycling, Barnes serves on the board of directors for “Free Bikes 4 Kidz.” He describes how FB4K unites the community, granting children the joy of bike ownership during Christmas and promoting a healthier childhood.
Barnes initiated the nonprofit via word of mouth, collecting, repairing, and distributing bikes to children in need over five years ago. By its second or third year, the initiative had given away 1,000 bikes.
“We started in Detroit in 2018 with two other partners. It’s a seasonal operation, only functioning in the fall when we collect bikes in a single massive public event,” Barnes explained.
Next year, FB4K is partnering with Meijer grocery stores to expand bike collection efforts.
Bikes are stored in a 30,000-square-foot warehouse space owned by former Detroit Piston ‘Bad Boy’ Vinnie “Microwave” Johnson.
From September to December, nearly 1,500 volunteers and 100 bike mechanics dedicate their time to clean and repair the bikes.
“We have a dedicated and motivated group of volunteers. The mission resonates with many because most can relate to unused bikes in garages or the nostalgia of their first bike,” Barnes shared.
Overall, this efficient operation provides a bike and helmet to a child for under $30 in cost to the non-profit.
Major corporate sponsors of FB4K include General Motors, Ford, Rocket Mortgage, Amazon, among many others, along with charitable foundations such as the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, and the Russell Family Foundation, to name a couple.
This year, the organization donated just over 2,000 bikes, a slight decrease from 3,000 in 2022, prompting the collaboration with Meijer for additional bike pickup locations. Over five years, they’ve given away 12,000 bikes.
A fervent cyclist, Barnes used to commute to his teaching job in Detroit and sought a philanthropic opportunity in the biking realm.
“I wanted to serve Detroit, where I spent most of my life. The biking culture there is unique and vibrant. We aim to provide that transformative experience of riding a bike to children in the community,” Barnes expressed.
To learn more or get involved, visit fb4kdetroit.org.
