There’s a moment right before a kid gets a new bike when they’re not quite sure what to expect.
Then they see it.
That reaction never gets old for us. We got to watch it happen five times this week in Burbank, and we were just as excited to hand over the bikes as the kids were to receive them.
Five of this year’s ten Bikes for Kids winners came to our office to pick up their new bikes, and next week we’ll get to do it all over again with the remaining five.
The photos probably tell the story better than I can. Look at the smiles on their faces!
There’s something about a bike that still feels special when you’re a kid. It’s fun, of course, but it’s also a little bit of freedom. It means riding around the neighborhood, keeping up with friends, exploring a little farther from home and having something that is completely yours.
That’s one of the reasons it’s been so much fun to see these bikes actually leave our office with the kids they were meant for.
Before that first ride
Seeing all the new bikes this week also felt like a good reminder for Burbank families to do a quick safety check before kids take off.
A few simple things are worth checking:
- Make sure the bike is the right size and the child can comfortably reach the ground.
- Check the brakes and tires before the first ride.
- Make sure the helmet fits snugly and sits level on the head.
- Talk about where they’re allowed to ride, especially before they start riding farther from home.
None of this takes very long, but it can make that first ride a lot more enjoyable for everyone.
As a Burbank personal injury attorney, I spend a lot of time seeing what happens when an ordinary day takes an unexpected turn. Bikes for Kids is a very different part of what we do, and that’s exactly why this is one of our favorite parts of the year.
After months of nominations, planning, and getting everything ready, delivery day is when it all becomes real. Seeing each kid walk out with a brand-new bike makes all of it worth it.
We’ve handed out five so far, and we still have five more kids to surprise next week. We can’t wait.
