SOUDERTON — A Telford mother of five will have a quicker commute to work after receiving a bicycle from a local transportation non-profit.
The Partnership Transportation Management Association of Montgomery County (TMA) presented the bike to Ivania Velasquez on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Keystone Opportunity Center, a Souderton-based social services organization.
Velasquez had been walking nearly an hour to her job at Burger King, a journey compounded by fasciitis in her left foot and four fractures in her right foot.
“I’m waddling around all over the place,” said Velasquez. “With the issues with both feet, it takes me about an hour, though it depends on the day. Some days are good; some days are bad.”
The donation is part of TMA’s bike match program, aimed at providing community members with reliable transportation to work. Velasquez was referred to the program by the Keystone Opportunity Center, a longstanding resource for Velasquez’s family.
“The bike is essential for Ivania,” said Keystone Executive Director Brandon Trombetta. “And in partnership with TMA, we’re here providing her with a bike to make sure she has reliable transportation to get to and from work.”
Program leader Brad Edenfield said the donation marks the organization’s 15th bike match since the program launched in 2022.
“We’ve given them to people all the way in Collegeville, Norristown,” said Edenfield. “[Transportation] is a problem. People can’t get where they’re going.”
“Lack of transportation is a real barrier to accessing opportunities and workforce development,” added TMA Executive Director Jacqui Baxter-Rollins. “So this is a great program, and we’re able to help.”
TMA partners with Bike and Sol, a non-profit bike shop, to source the right bikes for program recipients, said Baxter-Rollins. The program also offers helmets, lights, locks and cycling safety tips and resources. Baxter-Rollins encouraged the community to support the program.
“Donations are very welcome. Broader support and sponsorship and collaborative partners are very welcome, too,” said Baxter-Rollins. “We can’t meet all of the requests that there are, but we’re confident that we can grow the program with more support.”
The bicycle is actually TMA’s second donation to Velasquez, whose first bike was stolen. This time, TMA purchased a more durable bike lock, said Edinfield.
“Due to budget constraints, the lock that we would give away when we first started was just a simple lock that was very easy for someone to dismantle,” said Edinfield. “But we got a better lock for her, and I’m gonna show her how to use it so hopefully we won’t have that issue again.”
With bike in hand, Velasquez struck an optimistic tone, hoping her new wheels will deliver a better future for her family.
“I feel good,” said Velasquez. “I’ll be moving from where I’m at so hopefully we won’t have the same situation we had with the other bike.”
