TAMPA, Fla. — Sometimes riding a bike is a lot more than just riding a bike. For Nikita Hultin, it's been a lifeline. 

“It was there when I needed it,” Hultin said. “Just when I needed it. Like perfect timing.”

Before she got the bright red bike, Hultin was mentally in a dark place. She struggled for sobriety.

“I wasn’t happy,” Hultin said. “Wasn’t happy with who I was. Who I had become.”

She moved to the Tampa Bay area for a clean start. Hultin got a place to stay. She found a job. Then Bikes for Christ founder Pat Simmons gave her a bike to get to work.

“Man, the blessing that I get for just being able to do this is overwhelming for me,” Simmons said.

His nonprofit recently built a new facility and has given away nearly 400 bikes this year. With the rising cost of living, Simmons said he’s seeing a lot more women request two wheels instead of four. This year, he said they saw a 10% increase in bike donations to women.

“I think it’s a cost thing,” Simmons said. “It just makes more sense for women to go that route as opposed to buying the car, getting the insurance, buying the gas, getting the maintenance on the vehicle. It’s just a cost factor on the vehicle, I believe.”

For Hultin, affordability played a big role. For almost three months, she rode her bike to and from work each day and the journey has helped her through the toughest of times. 

She’s happier now.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Hultin bought a car.

“It feels like a great accomplishment too, from not having a place to live, to getting back stable again,” Hultin said.

The fight is not over. Months sober, she is taking it day by day and no, she’s not ditching the bike.

“Oh, it’s still my best friend, don’t get me wrong,” Hultin laughed.

But she is looking forward to the road ahead, and she’s thankful her bike helped her get there.  

Bikes for Christ has helped thousands of people throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties.

For more information about bike donations, head to their website.