Earlier this summer, three BCYC athletes, Yania, Mamady, and Justin, attended the National Youth Bike Summit at Roxbury Community College in Boston. This marked our second year joining Neighborhood Bike Works’ cohort of students and supervisors for the event—a powerful opportunity for BCYC leaders to connect with others exploring the intersections of biking, identity, community, creativity, and activism.
This year’s summit gathered over 200 participants from 52 cities and 17 states, offering inspiring workshops and class sessions that ranged from DIY bike art to discussions on community cycling programs nationwide.
For BCYC athlete Yania, an 11th grader from WB Saul High School, the trip brought her inspiration and connection to other youth and the cycling community at large. “I got to explore a new place and bond with other people in my group,” she said. “We’re kind of all friends, but we really got to get loose and have fun.”
Yania and Mamady, help another student to “fly”
During the learning sessions, our students heard from bike programs across the country; Oasis Bike Project in Tennessee and Bikes not Bombs in Boston stood out to Yania. “It showed me all the stuff I could do with biking,” said Yania, “things I’d like to bring back here to Philly.”
Yania particularly enjoyed the hands-on workshop where youth could create recycled art from old bike parts—jewelry from locks and inner tubes, keychains, and even a belt she made for a groupmate. This workshop was also a highlight for BCYCer, and rising senior at Georgetown High School, Mamady, who felt like it was a chance to connect his everyday passions with a broader movement. “That’s one thing I do a lot with the work I do at Neighborhood Bike Works. I try to use any old part I can for my bike, my art, or anything creative.”
But for him, the true impact came from the connections. “The value for me is less in the workshops and more in the people I get to meet,” Mamady shared. “They’re always interesting and I have a lot of fun with them. I don’t usually speak to a lot of people in my day-to-day life—I have a bit of social anxiety. But here, I felt like I could be a whole new person.”
Yania, corroborated, “I’m a very introverted person. Doing karaoke next to other kids wasn’t on my bucket list—but I did it. It brought me closer to the group. I feel like BCYC should take even more of us next year. It was fun, and we helped bring each other out of our shells.”
Outside of the workshops, our students enjoyed trying new foods at the buffet they were taken to, exploring Boston, and going on the “big ride” which included local riders from Boston Critical Mass. “I’m convinced they count miles differently there, but we rode 10 miles with the whole crew!” Yania joked. “People on the street were pointing and saying, ‘Look, there’s a whole group of them!’ It was amazing.”
Summit attendees go on a big group ride through Boston’s Franklin Park
At its heart, the National Youth Bike Summit reinforced something we at BCYC believe deeply: when youth are given the tools, space, and encouragement to lead, they rise. And they ride.
We’re so grateful to the organizers, workshop leaders, and every young person who showed up with openness and energy. We can’t wait to return next year.
