About Bicycle Works

Saint Louis BicycleWORKS was founded in 1988 by a Shaw Neighborhood resident who saw the need to provide area youth with the opportunity to develop a skill and to challenge them to test the limits of their abilities. This vision combined with the universal appeal of the bicycle became the building block of this innovative organization.

Bicycle WORKS is the first St. Louis program to use the bicycle as a vehicle to teach youth responsibility and good work habits. Its programs are structured and work-intensive. BicycleWORKS combines vocational training with educational enrichment and challenging physical and mental activity.

BWorks is located in the Shaw neigborhood at the Southwest corner of Shenandoah and Thurman and welcomes applications from youth ages 9-17 from any St. Louis neighborhood.

"The bike program is fun and exciting. When I first came I was eager. This has been a challenge for me."

--- D.S., participant

"The main change in [her son] is how proud he is of what he has learned. He is making better use of his time. He has a better outlook and is interested in becoming more responsible."

--- C.W., mother of participant

"With so many issues facing youth, we must take a collaborative and community approach that not only addresses obvious issues, but also looks at the underlying issues. BicycleWORKS is just such a program."

--- The Prevention Partnership

"BicycleWORKS has been a rare program to benefit youth. Your organization is making a wonderful difference in Shaw."

--- Shaw Public Safety Committee

"This program is designed to work with young people in a delinquency prevention effort. It is designed to enable young people to learn and utilize job-related skills and develop a sense of self-esteem."

--- St. Louis County Juvenile Court