Handing over the handlebars: Why this couple wants you to run the Alberta Bike Swap

Do you live in Alberta and love bikes? Laura and Chris Grant might have an offer you can't refuse. 

The pair have, like many Calgarians, been squeezed by the downturn in the Alberta economy. The 58-year-olds had steady jobs in the oil and gas industry, but both of their companies cut costs... and cut their hours. 

So Laura and Chris are looking for work — and looking for somebody to take over their nonprofit Alberta Bike Swap organization.

The pair spends dozens of hours each week on the bike swap, which helps people buy, donate and sell bicycles. Laura and Chris have also donated thousands from their own savings to keep the organization going.

Now that the Grants have been forced to rethink retirement and re-enter the job hunt, they're worried that they just don't have the time or money to keep their passion project going. 

"With both of us working part time, we just don't have the money to continue putting in to it. We're at the end of our job cycle, we're not at the very beginning — where somebody is young and fresh and keen to do the right thing," said Laura.

So, what kind of person are they looking to hand the handlebars to? 

"If somebody wanted to take over the bike swap, they'd have to be passionate about cycling. They'd have to go to all these community events, put a smile on their face, and talk to people about safe cycling," said Laura.

Acknowledging that retirement is further away than they thought was difficult, said the Grants. But they're still hopeful that the right person will appear.  

"If we can't find the right person to take over the bike swap, then we'd just give things away — because that's the right thing to do."