From Metro.net
BY
When Oswaldo Cruz opened his email and saw a message from school asking if he was interested in a free bike, his heart jumped with excitement. He filled out a simple form and a week later, he was the first to arrive at his school’s event in Hawthorne, where the bikes were going to be handed out. He chose one with his favorite colors: red and black. “I was very happy to receive it,” says 14-year-old. “I had a bike when I was little, and always dreamed of having another one.”
Mondays through Fridays, Oswaldo now bikes to Hawthorne Math & Science Academy, the only high school in the Hawthorne School District. “I used to walk more than 20 minutes to get to class. If I took just a few extra minutes to get ready, I ended up being late,” says the ninth grader. “Ever since I received my bike, three months ago, I’ve always been on time!” On weekends, Oswaldo uses his bike to meet up with friends in local parks.
The bike came into Oswaldo’s hands thanks to Adopt A Bike, a Metro program that works with community groups to provide residents of vulnerable communities in Los Angeles County with free bikes. The goal is to improve mobility options so community members can access schools, jobs, and recreation.
But where do these bikes come from?
