Hello beloved friends in Portland, Iowa, and everywhere in between! You probably know that I love cycling. Biking creates healthier communities, cleaner air, and mitigates congestion. And most of all, it's fun!
The Community Cycling Center works to make sure that people of all backgrounds and income levels have the same access to a bicycle (and its benefits) that you or I enjoy. Today, on my one-year anniversary working at the Community Cycling Center, I'm asking you to support this beloved nonprofit, in honor of my RAGBRAI ride, so that we can continue to provide the joy and freedom of two wheels to children from all backgrounds.
Equity is at the center of everything we do. Here's a sampling of our initiatives:
-To date, we have provided over 10,000 bicycles to children from low income backgrounds.
-Our STEM bike mechanics courses at alternative high schools have been a smashing success, and we're looking to expand that program in the coming years.
-The HUB, our satellite bike shop in a low-income neighborhood in North Portland has an earn-a-bike component for youth who enroll in a bike mechanics course.
-As always, we're continuing our Safe Routes to Schools partnerships to make sure kids can get to school safely.
-Last year, our summer bike camps served over 700 children, nearly 140 of which were scholarship participants.
-Finally, we work closely with Andando en Bicicletas en Cully to empower Latinx community members to experience the joy of riding.
The Community Cycling Center works at the intersection of equity and transportation justice. It's an honor to dedicate my RAGBRAI experience to the Community Cycling Center and its mission. Thanks so much for your support!
