We were thrilled to host our very first Girls Bike Clinic at Mastery Charter Pickett Campus in Germantown: a special event designed to encourage more girls to join the BCYC community and build excitement for the Spring 2026 season.
The clinic, led by Henridell Davermand, the newest addition to the education team as the Program Coordinator for Bike Explorers. She took the lead on this event after noticing a clear trend in our enrollment numbers showing more male participation than female. The clinic was a way to find new and meaningful ways to interact with potential riders, recruit and expand participation, and bring more attention to important topics like bike safety — all while making the program more inclusive and welcoming.
There’s little as alluring as personalizing something to take home with you. So to get students interested in the world of biking and safety gear, a key activity of the clinic was helmet decorating, where participants personalized their helmets with paint, stickers, and other materials. This turned an essential safety item into something they could take pride in and be excited to wear.
Led alongside Coach AC, from Multicultural Academy Charter School, the clinic blended learning, creativity, and connection. Davermand remarked on Coach AC’s natural ability to engage participants and make them feel special. Participants received goodie bags, merchandise and practiced riding in a fun supportive and fun environment.
One participant shared what inspired her to attend:
“I like bicycling and I thought this would be really fun. I think more people should start bicycling because it’s a really fun sport and not that hard.”
When asked if the clinic made her want to join Bike Club this spring, she smiled and said:
“Definitely!”
We were delighted by the turnout and the energy from every participant. Beyond the fun and creativity, the event helped us build community, raise awareness around best bicycle practices, and create a more inclusive space for girls and women in cycling.
This is an initiative we hope to repeat and grow as a recruitment tool, continuing to build a vibrant and welcoming BCYC community for riders of all backgrounds.