Two West Shore students are back to putting the pedal to the metal after RCMP and Metchosin Fire teamed up to replace their stolen bikes.
West Shore RCMP said one of its school liaison officers was conducting a routine visit at Westshore Secondary School in late December.
During the visit, Cst. Mark Hall heard from a school administrator that two Grade 9 students, who had just moved to the West Shore and started at the school, had their bikes stolen.
The administrator said the students would bike to and from school every day and having their bikes stolen left a big impact on them.
Hall was touched by the story and wanted to help.
According to RCMP, abandoned or stolen bikes turned into police are held at the detachment for 90 days while officers try to get them back to their owner.
If they are not picked up in that time, the bikes are turned over to Metchosin Fire and Rescue’s community bike program.
Typically the bikes get refurbished and are later auctioned off to help fund local charitable organizations.
Lieut. Jacob Lamb, who runs the community bike program, said Hall reached out asking if there were any bikes available.
“RCMP reached out to me and I had two bikes ready for these kids. Worked out great,” Lamb told CHEK News.
He said the kids came to the station and picked out the ones they liked from storage. Lamb had the bikes refurbished before delivering them Wednesday.
Story continues below.
@WestshoreRCMP Community Policing School Liaison Officer heard about 2 students who had their bikes stolen, the officer wanted to help and reached out to our partners at Metchosin Fire and Rescue who were able to give the students refurbished bikes. So happy these refurbished… https://t.co/XELKGDIoAI
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) March 14, 2024
“You know we hold these auctions, but I mean, it means a lot more to us just to give a kid a bike,” Lamb said.
In a statement, Hall said RCMP is happy to get the students back on their bikes, just in time for the great spring weather.
“The smiles on their faces when they received the bikes made my day,” he added.
Mackenzie Read
