It is a rare occurrence to see hundreds of people waiting excitedly in line at a hospital, but then again, the Community Cycling Center’s annual Holiday Bike Drive at Legacy Emanuel Hospital isn’t your typical event. On the morning of December 11, more than 400 children and their excited families lined up in the grand atrium of the hospital for the 16th annual event. With the help of donations from the community and area businesses, the local nonprofit Community Cycling Center was able to provide refurbished bicycles to children from low-income families in Multnomah County.

The recipients of the donated bikes are selected from all over the county by a number of government agencies. The children are mailed golden tickets — their "Ticket to Ride" — that they wear around their necks on the day of the drive. Recipients and their families reflect the diversity of the Portland metropolitan area, representing a vast array of cultures and speaking many different languages, including Vietnamese, Russian, and Spanish.

Community Cycling Center volunteer Randi Orth, taking a quick break from fitting helmets, says diversity is one of the reasons she started working for the bike drive.

"I really enjoy the diverse community that comes out to support the giving of bikes," she explains briefly, before hurrying off to fit an incoming group of kids with helmets.

The journey to a new bicycle begins with a series of maintenance and safety education stations manned by knowledgeable volunteers.

At the first station, volunteer Ben Salzberg shows groups the different types of helmets.

"I want to encourage them to think about what different helmets look like and how they work in different situations to protect the wearer," he explains.

Next, at the "egg drop" station, the kids see just how effective helmets are. Further down the hallway, two volunteers demonstrate how to properly dress and prepare for a bike ride. The volunteer on the left has rolled up her pants, fastened her backpack, and strapped her helmet on straight. Her partner doesn’t fail to illicit a laugh from each new group for his backward helmet and unzipped backpack.

In preparation for this pivotal moment, the Community Cycling Center spent a full year procuring and refurbishing bicycles. The center collects bicycles at its location on N.E. Alberta Street and 15 other sites around Portland.

According to volunteer mechanic Mark Allyn, there’s a wide range of wear in the bikes the center receives. "Some bikes have been in someone’s garage for years and years — all covered in dust and dirt and rust," he says. "Other bikes have been purchased from manufacturers by companies as a donation to the community. But even the new bikes need a little work."

From the second week in January to the week before the drive each December, volunteers meet regularly to make sure the bicycles are in perfect working condition — and look good — for when the children show up to pick one out.

At the last station before selecting a bike, the children pick out their very own helmets. Volunteers from Trauma Nurses Talk Tough, a local advocacy group for the prevention of unnecessary injuries, work together with Community Cycling volunteers to make sure helmets are properly fitted.

Finally, equipped with the knowledge and tools to ride safely, the children are led by a volunteer to one of the many rows of shiny bicycles. Some children make their selection immediately — happily jumping on the first bike to catch their eye. Others pace the floor solemnly, examining each model before making a final decision.

After one last tune-up by a Community Cycling Center mechanic, the excited group applies what they’ve learned on their bikes. Outside, the dropoff area of the hospital has been converted into a Bike Rodeo. Neon cones and halved tennis balls line a track where kids practice stopping at stop signs, signalling turns, and — sometimes — just getting comfortable cruising along on two wheels.

The volunteers skillfully walk the thin line between keeping the peace and letting the children explore the full capabilities of their gifts. The scene of organized chaos is nothing short of heartwarming. Watching the families go through this process, it is difficult to tell who’s more excited — the parents or the children.

Manuel Chan smiles as he watches his son, six-year-old Pedro, doodle a bicycle in green crayon onto a thank you letter. They’ve reached the final station of the Bike Drive — where kids can take a breather after circling the Bike Rodeo, grab some punch, and write a note.

Says Chan, "It’s so nice to make my kids happy. I really appreciate watching Pedro on his bike. It’s a great holiday present."

Pedro finishes his drawing, then holds it up for his father’s inspection. Chan looks back at his son and beams, "Looks good!"