Second Cycle's Leap Forward: Empowering Youth and Communities with Bike Education

At Second Cycle Community Bike Shop, we've always been passionate about bikes, community, and education. This year marks a thrilling new chapter in our journey, as we step into a more impactful role in bike education and community empowerment. We're excited to share our plans and how they are taking shape, thanks to the Climate Commitment Act and historic Move Ahead Washington funding package, which passed in March 2022. Cascade Bicycle Club has taken on the position of finding the partners and they have selected Second Cycle to be part of their pilot year.

Click image to learn more about the Move Ahead Washington transportation package

The Move Ahead Washington Funding

Move Ahead Washington is a commitment to improving biking and walking infrastructure for students across the state. It's about making their journeys to school safer, healthier, and more sustainable. At its heart lies the School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program, a visionary initiative that aims to equip students with essential bike knowledge and skills.

Collaborating with Like-Minded Partners: Cascade Bicycle Club and WSDOT

In this journey, we're not alone. We're thrilled to collaborate closely with two esteemed organizations who share our commitment to empowering communities through cycling: Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Department of Transportation. Cascade Bicycle Club has been selected by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to design and scale bicycle safety education programs serving youth 6th-12th grade throughout Washington State. This is directly due to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). Another Organization who has been chosen in this pilot year program is Bike Works, They expertly demonstrates the commitment to community and acts as mentor and collaborator to guide the 2nd Cycle team in widening youth access to safe active transportation.

Expanding Our Programs

Thanks to this funding and the partnerships with Cascade Bicycle Club and WSDOT CCA, we're expanding our programs to reach even more young minds and enthusiastic cyclists. Here's what's on the horizon:

1. Earn A Bike (EAB): This program allows youth to not only learn about bikes, but also earn their very own. It's a hands-on experience that instills a sense of pride and ownership.

2. Major Taylor Project: Much like Cascade's Major Taylor Project, we're committed to mentoring Black and Brown youth and those from underserved communities, teaching them bike knowledge and valuable leadership skills.

3. SAFE CYCLE: We're introducing a brand-new program called SAFE CYCLE, designed for high school-aged participants. It's an acronym that stands for Safer Streets, Advocacy, Fostering Education, Community, Youth Cycling, Lifelong Skills, and Empowerment. This comprehensive program will promote not just safe cycling but also civic engagement and lifelong learning.

Conclusion

The future is bright for Second Cycle Community Bike Shop, and we're excited to invite you to be part of this journey. With the support of the Climate Commitment Act and our partnerships with WSDOT, Cascade Bicycle Club, and our expanded programs, we're poised to make a lasting impact on our community. Together, we'll create a safer, more sustainable, and more empowered Washington state, one pedal stroke at a time. Join us in this exciting new chapter!