Freedom Pedals initiative by Anvaya Foundation started three years back when we met a girl in Kaiwara temple. She was playing with an old rusted cycle which didn’t have bell, brake and not even a seat.

After some thought, we started collecting old cycles across Bengaluru and distributed them to government school students in village limits, after repairing them and giving them a facelift.

First year we started with four cycles. Last year, we could donate 38 cycles.

This year, in total we donated 220 cycles so far, including 120+ cycles donated last week in Seegehalli Government School.

Our convenors and donors across Bengaluru supported us in collecting used cycles. The credit goes to a few media reports on this selfless initiative!

Those kids who received the cycles are amazed by the fact that they own a good looking cycle now.

We knew how much we loved our cycles when we are kids. So we have not just gifted them the cycles, we have also contributed to their fun-filled, joyful childhood.

We collected these cycles carefully from all apartments and communities we were able to reach. We hope the kids will have tons of memories in this summer vacation with our small gift.

We have so many people to thank. Our chief guest Mir Roshan Ali reached the venue at exact 9 am and stayed with us for more than half a day, encouraging and honoring everyone. Seegehalli Gram Panchayat supported us on ground. Other communities like Whitefield Rising, ForceGW, Chrysalis High, Track n Trail, Round Table India and Ladies Circle too offered their support in many ways. #GiveWayToAmbulance team surprised us by honouring us – myself and Sridevi Sampath. The awareness session they conducted was fantastic.

“Cayal” Anandhi took a session on renting, reusing and reducing waste. I also want to thank cycle donors and convenors across Bengaluru, and Zest Pedal Zippys and Team Anvaya volunteers for their co-operation.