Dispatches from the National Youth Bike Summit

As we gear up for Bike Month and beging talking with P.E. teachers about Bike to School programs at their schools, I keep thinking back to the people I met at the National Youth Bike Summit, and all of the amazing projects they are doing right now.

This year's summit in New York City turned out to be an unexpectedly diverse collection of organizations and individuals, all using bicycling as a tool for teaching and learning with youth. There were people there who aim to empower women and girls by teaching them bike mechanics and leadership skills, teachers who host afterschool rides clubs, bilingual maintenance classes and materials and even tandem riding for the visually impaired. The organizations were incredibly diverse, but everyone was united by their passion for getting youth involved in cycling. It's an incredible tool to better the lives of youth and those around them through empowerment, self-sufficiency, leadership and community building.

At the summit, Major Taylor Project Coordinator Liz Johnson and I realized some of the ways our programs were unique. The Major Taylor Project focuses largely on riding and letting youth work up to longer and longer rides until they are conquering the Seattle to Portland, while many of the other organizations were based out of bike shops and focused more on mechanics. Cascade’s programs are also highly school-based, meeting youth where they are already required to be throughout the day. Our programs, however, are not unique in that regard; other high school cycling and racing clubs had a presence, and I was excited to learn about a Basics of Bicycling-esque program happening in Boston right now!

The summit provided a window into the great work with youth and bicycling that is taking place all over the country, and the diversity of projects and organizations means there are more ways to connect with youth.

I can’t wait to watch all of these organizations grow and expand. I can’t thank Youth Bike and the Youth Bike Summit’s steering committee enough for bringing us all together. 

Couldn't make it to New York City for this year's summit? February 13-15, 2015 is the next Youth Bike Summit, which will be held right here in Seattle, hosted by Bike Works! Don't miss it!