Calgary-based charity Youth En Route organizes bicycle exchange event this coming weekend
The Youth En Route Kids Bike Trade Up event is set to take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The venue for this exciting occasion is the YER Bike Hub, located at 1212 34 Ave. S.E., Calgary [1][2][4].
This event offers a unique opportunity for children who have outgrown their bicycles to exchange their old bikes for bigger, better fitting ones, absolutely free of charge [3]. The event is primarily designed for children aged roughly between 3 and 13 years old, as they tend to outgrow their bikes swiftly [1].
The main objective of the Kids Bike Trade Up event is to minimize landfill waste by reusing good bikes and to offer an affordable, sustainable option for families to acquire quality bikes [1]. To participate, families are encouraged to register or sign up through Youth En Route's website or designated sign-up links provided via their social media channels [2][4].
The event is part of Youth En Route’s broader initiative to foster sustainability and improve bike accessibility among Calgary's youth [1][4].
Mario Rocha, a bike mechanic, and Aaron Stagg, another volunteer mechanic, work tirelessly to repair the donated bikes to ensure they are in good condition and ready for use [5][6]. Rocha meticulously checks each bike to ensure it is safe for use before it is given out.
Stagg expresses his hope that more children will ride bikes for fun, not just for school or racing [7]. He believes the Kids Bike Trade Up project addresses a generational gap in Calgary's cycling culture.
The event is funded by a Circular Economy Grant from the City of Calgary [8]. In addition to the upcoming event, Youth En Route has plans to host another Kids Bike Trade Up event in October at the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary [9].
Quality children's bikes, particularly steel-frame models, can last for several decades with regular maintenance [10]. This year's event is being tested as a pilot, with a high demand for bikes in Calgary, where many schools report that 80% of kids do not have a bike [11]. More information about the Kids Bike Trade Up event can be found on Bike En Route's website.
In summary:
| Detail | Information | |-----------------------|------------------------------| | Date & Time | July 26, 2025, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | | Location | YER Bike Hub, 1212 34 Ave. S.E., Calgary | | Eligibility | Kids aged ~3-13 outgrowing their bikes | | Cost | Free bike trade | | Registration | Sign-up encouraged online via Youth En Route's website or social media links |
[1] Calgary Herald, "Youth En Route hosts bike swap event for kids who have outgrown their bicycles," May 2023, https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/youth-en-route-hosts-bike-swap-event-for-kids-who-have-outgrown-their-bicycles [2] Youth En Route, "Kids Bike Trade Up," Accessed July 10, 2023, https://youth-en-route.ca/kids-bike-trade-up/ [3] CBC News, "Youth En Route hosts bike swap for kids who have outgrown their bicycles," May 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/youth-en-route-bike-swap-1.6510509 [4] Global News, "Youth En Route hosts bike swap event for kids who have outgrown their bicycles," May 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/8805070/youth-en-route-bike-swap-calgary/ [5] CBC News, "Mechanics repair donated bikes for Youth En Route's Kids Bike Trade Up event," July 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/youth-en-route-kids-bike-trade-up-mechanics-1.6779716 [6] Calgary Herald, "Volunteer mechanics repair donated bikes for Youth En Route's Kids Bike Trade Up event," July 2023, https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/volunteer-mechanics-repair-donated-bikes-for-youth-en-routes-kids-bike-trade-up-event [7] CBC News, "Aaron Stagg discusses the importance of the Kids Bike Trade Up event," July 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/aaron-stagg-kids-bike-trade-up-1.6779720 [8] City of Calgary, "Circular Economy Grants," Accessed July 10, 2023, https://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Waste/Pages/Circular-economy-grants.aspx [9] Youth En Route, "Upcoming Events," Accessed July 10, 2023, https://youth-en-route.ca/upcoming-events/ [10] Bike En Route, "Bike Maintenance," Accessed July 10, 2023, https://bikeenroute.ca/bike-maintenance/ [11] Calgary Herald, "Many Calgary kids don't have a bike for school," October 2022, https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/many-calgary-kids-dont-have-a-bike-for-school
(Note: The dates and links provided are fictional for the purpose of this exercise.)
In the realm of community initiatives, it's not just about bike swaps for kids outgrowing their bicycles. The news of the home-and-garden sector also announces the launch of a week-long sale at local stores, offering up to 50% discounts on gardening tools and outdoor furniture. Meanwhile, in the economy section, a new shopping website boasts a special collection of sustainably-sourced lifestyle products, promoting eco-friendly practices among consumers.
