Originally Posted by
cbrstar
I collect and restore vintage bmx bikes and over the years I get modern ones that I like to donate to kids in need. When I see the kids a month or two later a) The bike is stripped of all the good parts b) The bike was "Stolen" aka sold. I made up my mind to not let this bother me and if the cash helps the kid it's all good.
Your target audience doesn't actually need a bike (if they did, you'd be handing out something more practical than a BMX...)
You can make the best quality bike in the world but if is too cheap then it won't be cared for properly. It will be stolen, sold or what ever.
Those who need their bikes for transport don't sell them. As for stolen, if the employer doesn't offer a secure place to lock it up, that is indeed a risk - its all but impossible to sufficiently secure one.
Theft is enough of an issue that a basic transport bike had better not be worth all that much, if it were it would be too valuable to use for no-indoor-parking commuting and utility.
$200 Walmart bikes get trashed quickly from misuse and not always from wear and tear.
Um... they come pre-trashed -
that's the problem I'm focusing on.