KCTV: Free Wheels for Kids program teaches skills, safety

Friday some Kansas City middle-school-age kids went for a victory ride after they rebuilt donated bikes from the wheels up over the summer. 

Free Wheels for Kids

"It empowers kids with bikes. These kids have built their own bikes and one for someone else," said Ben Alexander, the founder of Free Wheels for Kids.

Alexander started helping kids build their own bikes in 2011. The Free Wheels for Kids program has given away hundreds of bikes, all built by volunteers that otherwise might not have a bike.

"We take the bikes down to parts, clean bearings, we deal with a lot of stuff adult riders have never seen. These kids are now more accomplished bike mechanics than 99 percent of adults. They can handle it," Alexander said. . . .

Free Wheels for Kids also teaches the young riders how to stay safe on the roads.