Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Giveaway 

Last week, Mad Dogs & Englishmen hosted a simultaneous bike assembly session and giveaway of 75 bicycles to local Boys & Girls Club chapters at their locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Montecito, and for Trips for Kids in Mill Valley.

The gesture was conceived after Jennifer Blevins, owner of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, was criticized on social media for gifting a bike to Archie, son of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who turned four years old last month. Blevins started a GoFundMe page to raise funds in order to gift the bikes to children in need. 

“In response to some criticism we received for gifting a bike to a child of means, we decided to launch a bike giveaway to give a child’s bike to a child in need, and this has prompted many of our supporters to reach out to us to ask how they can donate to support this cause, and also how they can support our small business,” writes Blevins on the GoFundMe page. “This got me thinking. Why stop with one bike? Let’s give as many bikes as we can to as many kids as we can, in honor of the birthday boy! Let’s maximize this unique opportunity to share the love and do more good in the world.”

Blevins said the initial goal of $1,000 was quickly reached, so she upped the goal. With nearly $10,000 raised to date, the goal is now $20,000. “We have been blown away by the outpouring of kindness and generosity, and this positive momentum has been really inspiring!” writes Blevins about the donations pouring in. “100 percent of all donations will be used to purchase new bikes for underprivileged children. Hoping we can take all of this attention and momentum and channel it into doing something impactful and good!”

Blevins added that she will not be increasing the goal again, but any additional donations raised will go toward buying additional bikes, with the goal to donate at least 100 Specialized bikes in total. “All bikes are being purchased with the funds raised by our supporters at our wholesale pricing, as well as a donation from us. The bikes are an in-kind donation valued at $22,500 and are the same model gifted to little Archie for his birthday. Supporters of the shop and this charitable mission to do something good for underprivileged kids have donated over $10,000 to date,” she said.

Twenty-five of the bikes were presented to representatives of the local Boys & Girls Club chapter here in Montecito. To donate to the cause, go to the GoFundMe page, #lovewins bikes for kids, at: https://gofund.me/12e9a722. 

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop is located at 1080 Coast Village Road.