Lower Merion Township Police has joined forces with M+M Two Wheelers in Bryn Mawr and HIAS Pennsylvania to welcome Afghan refugees by providing them with bikes to help them get around the area more easily, writes Beccah Hendrickson for 6abc.

The police confiscate dozens of stolen and abandoned bikes each year that are usually left sitting in a locker. But thanks to David Broida, a volunteer with HIAS Pennsylvania, and Kevin Meehan, owner of M+M Two Wheelers, the bikes now serve a much better purpose.

Meehan ensures that every bike that comes into his store feels brand new before it leaves.

“My dad was an immigrant from Ireland,” he said. “Somebody had to help him out when he came over and I feel like that’s important.”

Broida picks up the bikes and hands them to the refugees who are still getting acclimated to their new surroundings. They then use the bikes to get to work.

“It’s a really difficult for a refugee to get a driver’s license so at least for the first days, or the first month and year, it’s really helpful to get around,” said Nasiba Hussaini, an Afghan refugee.

Read more about the bikes for Afghan Refugees initiative at 6abc.