Several staff and volunteers had the chance to check out a new trail today with some incredible kids in the Earn-A-Bike program, through a partnership between BWorks and the International Institute of St. Louis.

This youth partnership came together for two reasons: 1. We wanted to offer support as IISTL has faced major funding cuts, and 2. We kept hearing concerns that young people were receiving bicycles for transportation without helmets, locks, lights, or the essential knowledge of how to use any of it safely.

Now, these kids get the full package — refurbished donated bikes, new helmets, bright lights, secure locks, and 12 hours of hands-on instruction to help them ride confidently and safely.

They were doing so well today that instead of staying in a parking lot practicing drills, as would be normal on this particular week of class, they got to take a full five-mile ride through multiple neighborhoods, putting their new skills to use even as they look toward more guided riding with our team still to come.

When they go low, we go high.