Bike Clubs
Our Bike Clubs are free, earn-a-bike, after-school programs where 9 to 12 year olds from families with a low income learn safe riding skills, basic bike maintenance, and have the chance to build their confidence as cyclists. By working hard throughout the course of the 12-session program, participants earn their own refurbished bicycle and new lock, tire levers, patch kit, and helmet to take home!
Why is the program so successful?
Many of the youth we work with do not have access to safe bicycles and cannot afford to get their bicycles repaired. Through our program, participants learn to identify problems with their bikes and to perform minor repairs on their own. It has been our experience that program participants share their knowledge by showing their friends, neighbors and relatives what they’ve learned and by assisting their peers with bike repair. Our programs have set the standard for teaching bike safety and maintenance to youth. Over 90% of participants successfully complete the program. This success stems from the experiential nature of the program. Bike Club participants learn mechanical skills, teamwork, problem solving, and responsibility. Participants go on group rides through their neighborhoods, expanding their view of the community they belong to while getting the exercise they need in order to be healthy students.
Who can participate?
We currently run Bike Clubs at six elementary schools. Sessions run after school in the fall (late September to early November) and spring (late March to early June). If you have a child in the 4th or 5th grade attending one of the following schools who you would like to enroll in the Bike Club program, contact your school’s Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Site Manager. 
- James John Elementary
- Faubion Elementary
- King Elementary (Spring Term Only)
- Rigler Elementary
- Scott Elementary
- Vernon Elementary
- Woodlawn Elementary (Fall Term Only)
How can I get involved?
Donate a bike!
All of the bikes earned by program participants are donated by community members and refurbished by our mechanics.
Volunteer!
We need dedicated program volunteers to assist our program leaders.
Program partners
Our school partners provide bike storage and classroom space, enroll the students with the greatest need and enthusiasm for the program, and provide a volunteer assistant who helps lead the program and enforces school rules.
Funding for the 2011 Bike Club program is provided by the Portland Children’s Levy, Legacy/Trauma Nurses Talk Tough, Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, Hoover Family Foundation, and many other generous corporate and individual supporters.
“CCC is such a big asset in the community–helping kids to develop into strong, successful adults.” – Tom Ralley, Bike Club volunteer assistant
“I really liked riding my bike and learning how to take care of it. My favorite part, however, was getting and choosing my bike.” - Bike Club participant
Please contact Youth Program Coordinator Kim Whitney with questions at 503.288.8864 or Kim@CommunityCyclingCenter.org.
