PHENND Fellows: Youth Bike Program Coordinator

The bicycle is a powerful tool to increase health outcomes and build equitable, healthy communities. The Bicycle Coalition has more than a 50 year legacy of working towards a Philadelphia region where everyone can ride a bike confidently, joyfully, and free of traffic violence, on a network of connected circuit trails, bike lanes, and safe streets. We seek to expand the number of people using a bicycle for physical and mental health, as well as for transportation. The Bicycle Coalition leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. The Bicycle Coalition implements a two-prong approach, using advocacy and education, to reach its mission. The Bicycle Coalition¿s Signature Education Program, The Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling (BCYC) Program whose mission is to foster healthy habits, independence, and leadership in predominantly low-income and Black and brown Philadelphia youth through cycling by developing youth who confidently navigate their futures with healthy habits, teamwork, and leadership.

This project is a part of the PHENND Fellows VISTA program housed at the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). PHENND is a network of over 25 colleges and universities that strengthens service-learning, civic engagement, and community partnership in Philadelphia.