“Bikes for Kids Program Enters Second Season”

Verde Valley Bikes for Kids entered its second season this fall. Under this program, over 70 youths from grades 3 through 8 participate in after school mountain bike clubs on bikes purchased by Bikes for Kids. In addition, Bikes for Kids gave away 35 new bikes in 2019 and will give away over 100 new bikes to Verde Valley students in grades 3-8 in 2020.

Seven of the eight Verde Valley public elementary schools have mountain bike clubs. School teachers and volunteer coaches from the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition spend at least one day a week teaching mountain bike and safety skills. There are plans to expand the Bikes for Kids program to the eighth school, Jerome-Clarkdale Elementary School, during the 2020-2021 academic year or earlier, coach dependent.

The Bikes for Kids goal is to empower young people in these grades, through mountain bicycles, fostering values that support youth on and off the bike into their future.

The Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition funds the Bike for Kids program through generous donations and grant sponsors. The program purchases and maintains bikes, helmets and gear for the schools’ clubs. An annual bike event at the Sedona Bike Skills park is held each spring bringing youth from all 7 elementary schools together for an afternoon of biking along with great food and camaraderie among the young riders.

More information on the great program is available here

Contact Rich Leever, Chairperson Bikes For Kids at rlleever@gmail.com for more information.

Rich Leever

Chairperson, Bikes for Kids

Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition