Project Bike Trip works to enhance lives, create opportunities, and build sustainable communities through bicycle education
MISSION
Project Bike Trip works to enhance lives, create opportunities, and build sustainable communities through bicycle education.
ABOUT PROJECT BIKE TRIP
Project Bike Trip (PBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Santa Cruz, Ca that is dedicated to providing comprehensive hands-on and academic bicycle education for youth. PBT programs offer technical training in bicycle mechanics, preparing youth for job opportunities within the bicycle industry. Additionally, youth are introduced to the bicycle as an alternative source of mainstream transportation, the road to healthy living, and as a means for connecting with the outdoors. From bicycle safety and basic roadside repair to bicycle cultures and career opportunities, PBT encourages communities to explore the benefits of adopting a bicycling lifestyle.
OUR STORY
Founded in 2008 by Berri Michel (Bicycle Trip bike shop owner) and Julie Mitchell, Project Bike Trip has successfully established and expanded bicycle education programs throughout Santa Cruz County.
As a shop owner, Berri noticed how most retailers struggle to find trained and qualified bike mechanics. Berri thought it would be great if youth could be trained to ride safe, help with their communities, teach about the benefits of bicycles as transportation, economic and health and wellbeing, all while teaching them a vocation they can use to put themselves through school or just use in their lives. This vision became a reality in the Spring of 2007 when the pilot Bike Tech/Regional Occupational Program (ROP) class was launched at Harbor High School. In 2008, PBT became the official 501(c)(3) organization to administer the Bike Tech program. In the Fall of 2009, PBT and ROP expanded the program due to it’s huge success at Harbor High.
PBT’s programs currently serve more than 200 middle and high school students on an annual basis, including many underserved Hispanic/Latino students, low-income students, and students that are at-risk of dropping out of school. PBT has two current programs: (1) Bike Tech: a one-year bicycle technical education program for high school students. Bike Tech is currently at Scotts Valley, Pajaro Valley, Aptos, Harbor, and Natural Bridges high schools. (2) Bike Club at School (BCS): introduces middle school students to the bicycle as transportation, recreation, and health. BCS is currently at Mission Hill and Branciforte middle schools.
OBJECTIVES
PBT’s objectives are the following:
- Prepare high school students to be successful applicants for careers in the bicycle industry by providing mechanical training in professional bicycle assembly and repair, workplace communication skills, and student internships with local bicycle shops and industry manufacturers.
- Educate middle school students about bicycle safety and healthy living, including proper helmet use, traffic and off-road safety skills, Safe Routes to School, basic bicycle maintenance and emergency roadside repair, and healthy nutrition.
- Encourage and enthuse youth and adults into adopting a bicycling lifestyle, healthy for both society and the environment.
- Provide communities with potent solutions for solving issues related to health, childhood obesity, the economy, and the environment.
- Promote bicycling as a viable and sustainable form of mainstream transportation.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Project Bike Trip has successfully established bicycle education programs throughout Santa Cruz County from the elementary school to high school level, teaching youth safe cycling skills, exposing youth to bicycle culture, and providing career technical education for students interested in pursuing employment in the bicycle industry.
