Hawthorn Middle School North builds biking unit with help from the community

Donations of bicycles still being accepted

VERNON HILLS – Hawthorn Middle School North’s physical education teachers are excited to introduce a new biking unit made possible with the assistance of the Vernon Hills Police Department and M&M Cyclery in Mundelein.

The unit started on a virtual basis this school year, with students learning about biking safety, maintenance and how to access local trails. Students will begin riding the bikes during the next school year.

“We are grateful to the police department and M&M Cyclery for helping us with the bikes,” Hawthorn P.E. teacher Kyle McKenzie said in a news release. “The unit would not be possible without their participation.”

The police department provided the school with about 25 unclaimed bikes. While the department makes every effort to find the owners of recovered bikes, its policy is to give them away if the owners cannot be located within six months.

“We are more than happy to help serve the community and get these bikes to kids,” Vernon Hills Police Department Crime Prevention/Property Officer Jeff Hemesath said.

Many of the bikes are missing parts and lack maintenance, so M&M Cyclery has volunteered to assess and help service the bikes. The bicycle shop already has made some repairs and will continue to refurbish the bikes in the fall.

Hawthorn Middle School North also is accepting donated bikes.

For information, contact Kyle McKenzie at mckenziek@hawthorn73.org.