Better Winnipeg: Specialty built bikes gives kids freedom of mobility

WINNIPEG — Tucked away in Transcona, there’s a business that has been putting smiles on the faces of kids and adults alike for 25 years.

‘Freedom Concepts’ provides adaptive bikes to those that otherwise wouldn’t be able to ride one, most of them children.

It’s allowing a bit more freedom to those that wouldn’t be able to experience it it weren’t for their custom built bike.

One of those kids benefiting is four-year-old Jacoby Zebinski, who lives with spastic cerebral palsy.

“It’ll help with his rehabilitation. Therapy wise it gets his legs moving so his legs don’t stiffen up.” said Mom Vanessa Zebinski.

“It brings him more independence for normal day-to-day stuff and he is just beyond excited to ride his bike down to grandma and grandpa’s house.”

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A lot of work goes into putting the bikes together. A meeting will take place to find out exactly what requirements are needed for the recipient of the bike.

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Funding is another important part of getting the bikes in the hands of those that need them. Most come with a high price tag of a couple of thousand dollars each.

“We do get people that call us and say they’d like to purpose a bike for a child,” said Christine Schollenberg executive director of the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.

“We do have children on a waiting list and I do have some sleepless nights where I think about how am I going to get that bike for that child.”

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The best part about his new bike is that it will grow with him, giving him maximum use out of it.

“I think Jacoby will get a good six to seven, maybe even ten years out of that bike,” said Ken Vanstraelen, President of Freedom Concepts.”The growth potential is huge the seat posts and everything do rise with him, the handlebar system rises with him.”

“We’re so overwhelmed and so grateful to have such a great piece of equipment for him,” said Zebinksi. “His sister has a bike so him being able to ride bikes beside her is amazing.”

Something the two of them, and the whole family will be able to do for years to come.