If you’ve been following the news over the past few years, you’re likely as amazed as I am about all of the great projects and programs our Vision 2020 volunteers have launched.

People often ask me which of them is my favorite, which is kind of like trying to pick your favorite child. Every project is making a difference in its own right, and they each are organized by a fun mix of people who are passionate about what they are doing.

That said, I do have to admit some partiality toward the Red Bike program, which will be rolling out for its second season on May 1 this year. Red Bike, if you’re not familiar, is a bike share program that features (you guessed it) bright red bicycles that are free for anyone to use. Users are simply asked to abide by the simple Red Bike credo: Ride, Respect, Return. Currently there are nine red racks located throughout town, with more in the works this year.

In many ways, Red Bike is an exemplar of how the Vision 2020 process is supposed to work. When the idea originally arose in 2015, volunteers quickly mobilized to develop a plan. They reached out to various organizations and businesses for help, worked hard to fix up nearly 30 donated bikes, and rolled them out for the community last April, less than a year after the starting gun had sounded. The first year of any project is bound to have kinks, but I watched as this group of practical problem solvers persevered to keep things running smoothly.

This year, volunteers are planning to double the amount of bikes available and are well on their way to this goal. If you have an old bike lying around, donations are always accepted and can be dropped off at Rydjor Bike Shop on Main Street. Over time the bikes are disassembled, cleaned, painted and then refitted with coaster brakes and single speeds to improve safety and reduce maintenance concerns.

Special recognition is due to the guys at Rydjor Bike, the Southern Minnesota Bike Club, and all the other volunteers who’ve taken part at various stages of this process. The city’s Parks and Recreation department has provided invaluable help with coordinating the distribution of bikes and triage for them when they need fixing up. Park and Rec has also, along with Riverland Community College, generously provided additional space to tinker with and paint the bikes. And last but certainly not least, the Statewide Health Improvement Program has provided generous grant funds to help grease the chain of the whole operation.

Put all of this together, and you have the makings of a truly unique and collaborative project that is having a real impact on the community. Folks without regular access to transportation are now able to use the Red Bikes to get where they need to go, and anyone can pick up a bike for a quick ride around Mill Pond, East Side Lake, or anywhere else in town. The idea is simply to get more bikes in the hands of people that want or need to use them.

Biking is a great activity for so many reasons, if you consider the benefits to your health, the environment, and the fact that it’s just plain fun. And with the increased efforts to expand and improve upon last year’s experience, I’m confident Red Bike will have an even more successful sophomore season.