'We just wanted to make sure he was safe'

MILTON — A senior citizen now has a tricycle to help him commute to work each day.

Bobby Burke, known to most in Milton as Mr. Bobby, travels more than 8 miles each way from his Bagdad home to his job in East Milton. For years, he commuted on a two-wheeled pedal bike; in December 2017, a local woman raised funds to purchase him an electric bicycle.

When the new electric bike seemed too difficult for 80-year-old Bobby to ride, the Milton and Pace Pay It Forward group decided to step in.

Mark Woolson, owner of the Milton bike shop Truly Spokin’, set up an account and the club’s members were able to pay directly to him until the bike was paid off.

“It was paid off in about a week and was delivered to him today,” Teresea Young, a member of the Pay it Forward group, said on Jan. 20. “We now have a safe transportation for Mr. Bobby thanks to the members of the group and Truly Spokin'.”

According to group member Stacie Engstrom, the group did not trade in his old bike to get the new one.

“Since it was given to him, we didn’t even ask,” Engstrom said. “We just wanted to make sure he was safe. He absolutely loves his new bike; he was out the next day with his basket full, riding his bike home.”

The account is still open at Truly Spokin’ for any residents to add money for upkeep on Bobby’s bicycle and new accessories.

“He still needs lights in the front and back,” Engstrom said. “I would also like to see those tall orange flag poles. We are working on getting money together to build some type of shelter for his bike at his house.”

Woolson said he’s known Bobby for years, as he would come into the shop for help with his old bike.

“[The group] realized he needed a trike, so they reached out to me and we worked out giving him a discount and setting up the account,” Woolson said.

“We actually had more people coming in after the bike was still paid off, so we’re going to continue an account here where they can come and… we can get everything he needs, as well as paying ahead for any repairs.”

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'We just wanted to make sure he was safe'