Visett’s Dream to Bike: A Major Taylor Project Spotlight
- Thanks to the Major Taylor Project and his own determination, a Tacoma high school graduate named Visett has achieved his dream of learning to ride a bike.
- Help more youth like Visett fulfill their dreams of transportation independence by registering for the Ride for Major Taylor on April 13.
Paul Tolmé
Like many young people, Visset dreamed of learning to ride a bicycle.
While walking to high school in Tacoma, he would think about how much fun it would be to bike to school instead, and how much faster and farther he could go.
Thanks to his hard work, and the support of Cascade’s Major Taylor Project, Visett achieved his goal last year. Just before graduating from Lincoln High School, he earned a Bicycle Certificate of Achievement award, along with a bike, lock, light, and helmet.
The Major Taylor Project receives funding through the Climate Commitment Act from the Washington State Department of Transportation to support our after school bike clubs, which provide an opportunity for youth, like Visett, to earn a bicycle and safety equipment.
“He did all the hard work,” says Josh Stowell, who manages Cascade’s Tacoma Major Taylor Project. “I'm so proud of him.”
Visett can now be seen biking to his job and other destinations in Tacoma, a young adult whose horizons have expanded due to the magic of bicycles–the most efficient transportation machines ever invented.
“Visset's determination for more independence was his main goal,” Stowell says. “I’m so happy that we were able to give him the tools to reach that goal.”
Celebrate Major Taylor and Support MTP on April 13
Cascade is proud to spotlight Visett’s story because it shows how individuals, families, communities, and society all benefit when we teach kids how to bike. On April 13, you can support the Major Taylor Project–MTP for short–and Cascade’s bike education efforts by registering for the Ride for Major Taylor.
Register for the Ride for Major Taylor
With 26- and 62-mile routes, plus rest stops and a finish line meal, the Ride for Major Taylor celebrates the legacy of Black American cycling champion Marshall “Major” Taylor and raises funds that support the work of MTP and other education programs.
Visett Learns to Bike and Earns a Bike
In 2024, Luke Eudaily, a teacher at Lincoln High School, introduced Stowell to Visett, who was walking 30 minutes each way to school. Visett joined the after-school bike club that Stowell and Elisse LaRoche, MTP Tacoma coordinator, oversee at Lincoln High.
Major Taylor Project breaks down barriers to cycling for youth of color in Pierce and King counties, offering after-school bike clubs in 10 middle and high schools located in historically marginalized communities.
There are MTP bike clubs at five schools in Tacoma: Mount Tahoma, First Creek, Chief Leschi, Stewart, and Lincoln. Cascade also operates five clubs at schools in Seattle and King County: Tyee High School, Cascade Middle School, Talley High School, Dimmitt Middle School, and Garfield High School.
Visset was an enthusiastic student right from the start, meeting with Stowell and Eudaily for one-on-one practice sessions. Stowell loaned Visett a bike to practice at home, and within three weeks Visett was biking confidently around the school.
When Visett got a flat, he watched online repair tutorials and patched it on his own. “That’s a true testament to his independence and resourcefulness,” Stowell says.
Today, Stowell often sees Visett’s bike locked up outside the South Tacoma Public Library, or catches a glimpse of him biking to destinations around Tacoma. “I don’t think I will ever forget the excitement Visett showed the day he received his award and new bicycle.”
Support the dreams of more youth by registering for the Ride for Major Taylor on April 13. Because bicycling is a form of exercise and transportation that fosters both healthy bodies and minds, as well as healthy communities.
Register for Ride for Major Taylor!
Learn more about Marshall “Major” Taylor, a Black cycling legend who set numerous world records, won a World Championship and multiple national championships--all while battling racism throughout his career from the late 1800s to early 1900s.
And don’t miss our Bike Everywhere Luncheon on April 30, where we will celebrate our youth education initiatives with the theme: “If You Teach a Kid to Bike.” Visett is off and rolling, but there are many more youth who dream of biking.
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