Kid’s Program
A Shaw Neighborhood resident founded St. Louis BicycleWORKS in 1988 to give area “at-risk” youths a place to develop skills, interact with peers and caring adults, and safely challenge the limits of their abilities. BicycleWORKS’ primary focus is the Earn-A-Bike Program for kids. Children are taught the basics about bicycle safety and maintenance as a means to build community awareness and personal responsibility. This is a free program where kids attend a series of hands-on courses held on Saturday mornings. Youths who complete the course graduate with knowledge about bicycles, skills to work as an individual as well as cohesively with a group, and a better understanding of personal safety. Graduating youths earn their own bike, helmet, light, and lock, and participate in a group safety ride with adults and peers. BicycleWORKS is the first St. Louis program to utilize bicycles as an educational tool to teach responsibility and good work habits. About 50 kids graduate from the class every year. To date, over 10,000 bikes have been provided to inner city kids through this program.
Positive Outcomes:
This experience contributes to the child’s development of self esteem, self motivation, and self discipline. An emphasis is also placed on social skills such as the ability to work as part of a group, and understanding the concept of “giving back” to the community. These youths are more confident, possess a greater sense of respect and respectability, and have a stronger desire to serve and improve their community.
Signing Up:
To enroll a child, please complete our enrollment form (a copy may also be picked up at the shop) and either mail it to the address below or drop it off at the shop (feel free to use the mail slot if we are not open). If you have questions about the program or would like to volunteer, please contact us at education@stlbikeworks.com.
Where to go:
BicycleWORKS is located in the Shaw Neighborhood at the southwest corner of Shenandoah and Thurman. Applications from youth ages 8-15 from any Saint Louis neighborhood are welcome.
Testimonials:
- “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
