Giving Back – Nick Ziegler and RPM in the News

There’s nothing quite like a smile stretched across a child’s face, and Nick Ziegler is on a mission to deliver some happiness.

Pairing his love for helping others with his passion for BMX (bicycle motocross), the Moline man has sent out letters and e-mails, made dozens of phone calls and spent countless hours building or refurbishing bikes to give to kids who can’t afford one.

Because of the downturn in the economy, “I would like to get some donations to make a few complete bikes for a few families who just have fallen on hard times and who honestly can’t afford a brand new bike,” Mr. Ziegler said.

Now 30, Mr. Ziegler said he’s been interested in BMX since he was 12. He said he was “in and out of it for a very long time,” and is getting back into it.

He’s teamed up with several donors from around the country, even someone from the U.K., as well as his old friend and BMX legend Rick Moliterno, owner of locally made Standard Byke Co. and Goodtimes retail bike equipment store in Davenport.

“It’s gratifying to see a kid get a hand up. Maybe it’ll be a spark the kid needs to do better in life,” Mr. Moliterno said.

Mr. Ziegler said years ago he used to ride at Mr. Moliterno’s Rampage skate park in Davenport, and recently hooked back up with Mr. Moliterno. He said, now that he has a family and is building his daughter a Standard bike, “I’m trying to get back into the hobby strong and help others out.”

Organizing and running the bike drive hasn’t been easy, Mr. Ziegler said. “I work full time, do stuff for Standard on the side and have a new baby. But I’m always looking for ways to help others.

“When a kid receives one of these bikes, the smile on his or her face will make it all worth it.”

Mr. Ziegler hopes to have five or six bikes completed by Christmas. “If I have any bike frames left over, I will re-do them and send frames only,” he said, adding that the frames are the “expensive part” of the bike, starting at $150 to $1,000 for a good one.

“So if someone doesn’t get a complete bike, we will make sure they have some sort of a good start in BMX,” Mr. Ziegler said. “My goal is to donate complete, ready-to-ride race and freestyle bikes.”

He said BMX helps “keep kids out of trouble, and racing for a trophy or money is a major goal.”

By gathering and building bikes, it gives “kids a chance … You never know; we could donate a bike, and that kid could become the next X Games pro rider or a national champion and be sponsored by some big names in the future.

“This hasn”t only been local. So far, (it’s) global,” Mr. Ziegler said. “But we need all the help we can get.”

If you’d like to help

To help Mr. Ziegler:

–Donate old (or new) BMX bikes or parts. “Please, no damage to the frames or parts. Color condition does not matter, but damage to the metal costs too much to fix.”

–Donate money through PayPal at a100dork3@yahoo.com. Money will be used to buy new bikes or parts to fix up old bikes.

– Drop donations at 1620 20th Ave., Moline, or call (563) 508-0908.

For more information visit http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index.php?showtopic=27035549.