Major Taylor Project

Major Taylor Project breaks down barriers to cycling for youth of color in King and Pierce County. We believe that bicycling is a form of exercise that fosters not only healthy bodies and minds, but also healthy communities. We intentionally create after-school bike clubs in middle and high schools that have been historically marginalized due to systemic racial injustice.

Our namesake comes from Marshall “Major” Taylor - a Black American cycling champion who broke racial barriers on his path to winning world championships and celebrity as a track cyclist during the Jim Crow Era in America. In his legacy, we seek to break down racial barriers for youth in our region.

What We Do

• Offer weekly bike rides after school so students can explore their community
• Deliver bicycle safety and maintenance education
• Provide opportunities to elevate youth voices and inspire students to advocate for change in their community
• Expose students to various cycling disciplines, including: touring, urban riding, track racing, mountain biking, and cyclocross racing
• Offer an eight-week Build-a-Bike program to increase ownership of bikes
• Provide training opportunities for students to prepare for Cascade events

Who We Serve

The Major Taylor Project reaches more than 500 youth annually in middle and high schools in central and south King County and in Pierce County. In these areas, residents speak over 70 languages and represent over 80 nationalities. Our club locations are intentionally established to reach youth in underserved neighborhoods.

• Ride Leaders are part-time Cascade staff members who lead after-school club days. They are responsible for orienting and supervising volunteers; planning, coordinating, and implementing weekly rides; facilitating program activities and working with school partners and Cascade to ensure safe and adequate equipment is equitably distributed to your assigned school. Program activities may include, but are not limited to: teaching bicycle skills and leading supplemental lessons/activities.
• Volunteers attend Major Taylor Program after-school clubs and ensure students are safe, supported, and having fun! We are looking for dedicated volunteers who can commit to a weekly shift of 2-3 hours for our after-school bike clubs (ideally for a whole school-year, but we welcome volunteers who are available for a single quarter as well). Volunteers assist Ride Leaders in teaching the students the basics of safe cycling, group riding, and so much more! 

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, be able to provide your own bicycle and helmet, and have experience riding in groups or basic cycling knowledge.

As an added bonus, all of our volunteers are eligible for comped registration for nearly all of our major rides, starting with as little as 6 hours of volunteer time. Read more on our Volunteer Benefits page. 

From the Students

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“MTP has changed my life by traveling to Portland — which was the longest bike ride I ever had — and now I ride my bike frequently. I love that MTP gives the opportunity to those who cannot afford a bike and gives them lots of memorable moments.”

– Harpreet Singh, MTP student at Foster High School

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“MTP shaped a community around me that otherwise wouldn't be there. MTP brings out the best in people, a student can have an absolute lousy day but still enjoy learning, riding and connecting to their surroundings with a smile on their face every time.”

– Han Chen, MTP Franklin High School Alumni & MTP Ride Leader