The Bicycle Advisory Committee and Yavapai County Community Health Services donated 15 new bicycles to Steps to Recovery for their clients to use as transportation.
YCCHS received a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Disparities Grant in 2020 to fund the donation, which included helmets and locks.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee works directly with the community to improve bicycle safety and access, as well as to get more residents active on bicycles.
“A gap was realized in transportation services for individuals in the recovery community,” BAC chairwoman Jen Mabery said. “We came up with a plan of bicycles because it provides alternate transportation for those without access to a vehicle to either go to and from work, looking for work, health care opportunities, appointments and other obligations.”
The bicycles were all purchased through the Verde Valley Bicycle Company.
“It is very important to us to use our local bike shop so that we can continue to educate and take care of the fleet of bikes,” Mabery said. “Upon delivery to Steps to Recovery, Greg Miranda [owner of VVBC] and Zac Nasar [VVBC mechanic] will provide a full in-service and education on the bikes.”
BAC members will also be volunteering to help with minor repairs to the bikes. The bikes will be registered with the Cottonwood Police Department and on the national nonprofit site Bike Index.
The bicycles will be available for sign-out at both the men’s and women’s houses as well as Steps to Recovery’s main facility.
“It’s going to benefit us hugely,” CEO Damien Browning said. “The more things we can provide, the higher their chances of success and to obtain long-term recovery and contentment in their life. It helps everybody. If we can help somebody deal with their issues and start being productive, then they become a productive member of their family, it helps our tax dollars and it helps our workforce.”
Clients can use the bicycles as basic transportation, as many have lost their driver’s licenses or can’t afford a vehicle. Browning also emphasized the mental and physical benefits of riding a bike, saying that if a client gets stressed, they can go on a bike ride for a breather in nature.
Mabery mentioned Cottonwood’s large and growing bicycle community. “We’re working very hard for our cities and towns to catch up to that to keep folks safe on the road,” she said.
The BAC is always looking for new members and advocates. If interested, contact Mabery at jen.mabery@yavapaiaz. gov for more information.
