Free Traverse City Pop-Up Kids Bike Library by Norte!./÷//

Norte! has teamed up with McLain Cycle and the Traverse Area District Library in Traverse City to host a free pop-up Kids Bike Library Wednesday, August 17.

From 9 a.m. to noon, students can sign up for a Kids Bike Library card (parent photo ID required) and check out a bike (for free!) at the Traverse Area District Libary. Once the student has outgrown the bike, just return it to Norte! and check out the next size up.

“Kids grow up fast,” says Norte! Co-Founder Ty Schmidt. “They outgrow their bikes fast too. As a father of two boys, keeping them on properly fitted bikes was a challenge. And expensive. Our Kids Bike Library aims to keep Traverse City kids awesome no matter how fast they grow nor their family’s resources.”

McLain Cycle has provided 87 specialized kids bicycles in 12”, 16” and 20” sizes perfect for preschoolers and lower elementary students. Click here to see what’s currently available at the Kids Bike Library.

“Without the generous support of Kris and Bob McLain, this program wouldn’t exist,” Ty says. “I love seeing kids on Norte! bikes around town. At the park, the library, the beach but especially at school. We don’t give the bikes away. The kids ‘earn’ the opportunity to check them out by promising to take good care the bikes and ride them as much as possible.”

The Traverse Area District Library is located at 610 Woodmere Avenue in Traverse City. See the library’s recently transformed Youth Services Department in this MyNorth video. The updated layout, shorter bookshelves for shorter readers and new tween space makes the library even more family-friendly. Check out a bike and a book this Wednesday!