The Cycle Academy teaches young riders how their bike works and how to keep it running. Classes, group rides, and full bike service, all free to the family. The program runs on a small workshop and the people who help put kids on bikes.
Our Mission“Kids should know how their bike works. Most don't, because no one ever shows them. That's the gap we fill.”
Free classes, group rides, and full bike service for kids. The classes cover mechanics at the bench and how to handle a bike in traffic. For the kids who get serious about racing, there's a path into junior racing without the equipment barrier.
Flat repair, drivetrain care, brake checks, and the basic skills every rider should have before they leave the driveway.
Group rides and traffic skills led by certified instructors. Confidence on the bike, in the lane, and around other riders.
For kids who catch the bug: coaching, loaner equipment, and an on-ramp into local junior racing.
Any bike a young rider brings in gets the full bench treatment. Always free to the family.
The core Academy is for youth and is always free. Alongside it, we run an apprenticeship for a local high school student and host group classes for youth organizations. We also teach adults who want to learn at the bench. New programs get added as the need comes up.
A structured mentorship at the bench for local high school students, by application. Real mechanical work, on real bikes, under the guidance of a master technician.
Apprentices leave with real trade skills. From here they can go work at a larger shop, pursue formal mechanic certification, or open a niche shop of their own one day. Positions are offered to students who apply and are selected each term.
Scout troops, school programs, clubs, and community groups can book a group class for their members. Youth education is always free, whether or not the organization can contribute.
For groups with a classroom budget, contributions in any amount are welcome and go directly into the program. Suggested amounts are available on request.
Adults who want to learn bike mechanics can book individual bench time or a small group class. Whatever you want to work on, from flat repair to a full overhaul.
Adult and private sessions are paid programs. Every dollar funds the free youth academy.
Our shop is small on purpose. One master technician and a handful of riders who've chosen to have their bikes worked on here. Nothing is hourly, nothing is rushed.
If it rolls, we work on it. Everything. From a quick tune before a race to a complete restoration of a vintage bike that's been in the family for decades.
The Academy runs on a community that believes kids belong on bikes. Here are some of the ways people already pitch in. If you have another idea, we'd love to hear it.
Bring us your bike. You'll get a master technician who takes the time to do it right, and the work we do for you helps keep a young rider on a bike.
Personal gifts and foundation grants pay for loaner bikes and classroom tools. Corporate sponsors pick up the bigger costs. Every dollar goes to the youth program.
Every bike that leaves the bench has been personally handled by a master technician with full BBI certification. Same bench whether it belongs to a kid in fifth grade or a racer with a number on the bar.
“We don't want to be the biggest shop. We want to be the one you'd trust with a bike you actually care about, and the place a kid first learns how their bike works.”The Master Technician