LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A man who has dedicated more than a decade of his life gifting hundreds of bikes to kids in Southern Nevada is closing up shop.
FOX5 has been following Robert Crane for years now. At one point telling us, “I get more smiles than Santa Claus ever got.”
However, this Easter Sunday, he’s giving away his last rides, which he says isn’t easy for him.
“It’s going to affect a lot more than me, but I’m sorry I have to do it, I really am,” Crane said.
That’s because 71-year-old Robert Crane has been battling stage 4 prostate cancer. Crane says it’s spreading, and he’s in treatment mode.
It isn’t lost on Crane how kids were instantly treated to a smile with a new set of wheels over the years. “It’s just amazing to see these kids, like their eyes light up, and they’re so happy, and the parents are happy for their kids. It’s just a good feeling.”
And the good vibes are free. Crane says 90% of the bikes are donated, and he’s been giving out bikes 365 days a year.
But recently, Crane’s daughter tells FOX5 his health has gotten worse, and Crane can no longer continue operating his nonprofit.
“I gave it almost four months of thought, talking back and forth with my wife… And generally my health got worse and worse, and I said, you know what… it is time,” Crane said.
The idea first came after Crane had an extra bike for his own grandson. For 12 years, he intended to get kids out the door and onto a shiny, new bike.
“My main goal is to keep the kids off of the videos and the games… that’s an impossible thing to do, but that’s what my goal was,” Crane said. “Right now it’s just to make kids happy, and that makes me happy.”
Crane recently lost his own son. Last year, he says doctors only gave him one or two years to live. Now, he says he’s reflecting on that and what this program meant to so many families across the valley.
“The only good thing is when I pass, I get to be with my son, and I’m looking forward to that,” Crane said. “I don’t want to close, but I have to. It hurts me more, and I think it’s going to hurt some families.”
Crane says he didn’t realize how big Bob’s Bikes would turn out, going from one bike giveaway to well over a thousand.
He gave away the last bike on Easter weekend.
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