The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Annual Bike Drive, now a beloved holiday tradition since 2008, is a massive county-wide effort to deliver hundreds of bicycles to children and teens in need across the Florida Keys. MCSO uses its stations as collection points, leveraging its personnel and logistical resources – even involving inmates to assemble the bikes as a vocational skill-building opportunity.
Partnering to deliver the two-wheeled joy since 2009 is Leadership Monroe County (LMC) Class 20, which created the drive as its class project to mobilize community leaders, businesses and fundraising efforts. The collaborative approach streamlines the process, ensuring that every donated bike moves quickly from initial collection to its heartwarming final distribution.
“The bikes are given to kids from Key West to Key Largo,” said MCSO Capt. Jon Crane. “Whether it’s a big wheel for a toddler or a beach cruiser for a high schooler who needs one to get to a job, we provide bikes to kids of all ages.”
The success of the Keys-wide initiative creates a powerful dual benefit for the Florida Keys community. While the most visible result is the hundreds of new bicycles being delivered to children in need, the program simultaneously provides meaningful rehabilitation opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
Working directly with the sheriff’s office maintenance crew, inmates are taught new tool and repair skills. This vocational training is a deliberate and proactive step by the MCSO to equip participants with marketable skills necessary for securing employment, helping them avoid returning to jail and making a positive transition back into society.
“This partnership creates a deeply meaningful chain of service, where we teach individuals in custody practical skills like bike assembly and maintenance,” said Crane. “They immediately use that vocational knowledge to build and prepare the bikes that go directly to children in need across the Keys. This collaborative effort makes the give-back truly full circle, benefiting local youth while providing our participants with a positive, tangible contribution to the community.”
The bikes will be collected at the sheriff’s substations before distribution through local organizations like the Wesley House, SOS Kids Come First and Samuel’s House, with decisions on individual gifts left to those agencies.
“The sheriff’s office and Leadership Monroe do not choose which kids get the bikes,” said Crane. “We give the bikes to the organizations, and they gather the lists of children in need.”
The pairing was born 16 years ago, when LMC Class 20 selected the bike drive as its annual project. A unique project is a capstone requirement for each graduating class from the eight-month program, comprised of monthly educational sessions that take deep dives into key sectors of the Florida Keys community like government, environmental concerns and education.
Projects typically range from one-time fundraisers to advocacy events as the program builds networks of informed, collaborative leaders, but few have stood the test of time quite like the bike drive. The holiday collection continues to honor beloved community members who have passed away, as their families donate bikes in their names each year.
“One of the driving members was a gentleman by the name of Barry Gibson, who has passed away due to cancer, but his wife and daughter donate a bike in his name every year,” said Crane. “This community is truly special and giving, and we appreciate all the support.”
As the holiday season approaches, it’s a perfect time to recognize the tremendous work of our local first responders and dedicated neighbors who serve our community year-round. From the daily sacrifices of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the tireless efforts of local volunteers and community leaders, these individuals consistently go above and beyond the call of duty – and their on-paper job descriptions.
Whether they’re protecting our safety, helping during emergencies, or organizing initiatives like the bike drive, their commitment is the foundation of a strong, caring Florida Keys community. Their service is a constant reminder of the goodwill that defines our home.
“Capt. Jon Crane’s efforts with the annual bike drive are a great example of positive community policing,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “The bike drive is a lot of work, but it helps bring joy to so many kids. I couldn’t be prouder of Capt. Crane and all my team members who go above and beyond.”
Anyone wishing to donate a brand new bike, E-bike, big wheel or scooter can do so by bringing the items to any sheriff’s office substation or arranging a pickup. Donations are accepted up until Christmas Eve, ensuring that kids of all ages throughout Monroe County have the opportunity to enjoy a new bike for the holidays.
More information is available at 305-293-7311, or by emailing Crane at jcrane@keysso.net (Lower Keys) or LMC Class 20 member Maria Jones at maria.jones@fkec.com (Upper Keys).
