Youth Programs
Our youth programs are 100% free-of-charge. They teach resourcefulness, build grit and determination and provide alternative ways of learning.
Through these programs, youth in 6th-12th grade–many from underserved or underprivileged communities–can connect with the opportunity to learn bike mechanics and riding safety. They also provide an after-school community for students, and enable them to experience group rides, overnight bike camping trips, and racing regardless of income level.
Earn-a-Bike
As well as learning basic bike repair skills and problem-solving skills, youth build confidence and work their way towards earning their very own bike!
Our youth mechanics master:
- Identifying and using repair tools
- Fixing flat tires
- Truing wheels
- Adjusting brakes and shifting
Saturday Bike Rides
Weekly Saturday rides give our youth mechanics the chance to:
- Use the bikes they've earned
- Get comfortable bike riding
- Learn about signaling, riding safely and how to ride in a group
- Get to know other students
- Have fun!
Past rides have included museum excursions in the city, dirt rides in the woods and spending time exploring bike paths in the local area. . About once a month there’s a ride to a volunteering opportunity.
Phoenix youth, their family members and pre-registered ride leaders are welcome to take part.
Rides are held on Saturdays, usually from 11am – 3pm.
Check out this month’s ride schedule & sign up here!
Team Phoenix
Our junior race team is a fun and energetic group of youth who race cyclocross in the fall, garage races in the spring, and mountain biking races in the summer. Phoenix covers all race-related costs, including race licenses and registrations, and provides transportation to and from practices and races.
To be eligible for Team Phoenix:
- Be a junior racer (not have turned 19 years of age by December 31 of the current year).
- Complete the Phoenix Bikes Earn-a-Bike program.
- Participate in/commit to, at a minimum, four Saturday youth rides with Phoenix Bikes in the current year.
- Attend at least 60% of scheduled team clinics, practices, rides, and races.
- Commit to at least 60% of selected team races for the current season.
- Provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Paid Internships
The Phoenix Bikes Internship Program is aimed at empowering youth aged 16-18 in both the educational and shop operations building blocks of what makes our non-profit successful. Selected candidates will be placed in either our shop or program internship depending on applicant experience, interest, growth potential, and organizational need.
Ready to get started?
Please fill out our registration form to sign up for Earn-a-Bike, and reach out to us at youth@phoenixbikes.org with any questions.