Cycling Tips & Stories

The annual bike giveaway began with discussions with teachers about student motivation when Michael and Ronda Butler's daughter, Brianna, now 14, attended Hempstead - her father's alma mater.

Although a good report card should be its own reward, Butler recognized that some students need further inspiration.

Butler established three benchmarks for a child to qualify for a bike: good grades, emphasizing improved classroom performance from one report card to the next; citizenship - helping fellow students to learn; and attendance.