Project Bike Tech Inches Closer to Their $100,000 Giving Tuesday Fundraising Goal
Frisco, CO (November 30, 2021) – Project Bike Tech, the first high school bicycle education program of its kind, set a fundraising goal of $100,000 by this Giving Tuesday—thanks to Rad Power Bikes, the largest electric bicycle brand in North America, they're over halfway there. Rad Power Bikes has donated $60,000 towards a Project Bike Tech classroom in West Virginia's Monongalia County Schools where students will prepare for careers in the future of transportation and mobility.
"We're excited to have the support of a fantastic company like Rad Power Bikes, and their generous donation gets us a long way, giving students the opportunity to learn bicycle and e-bike mechanics while preparing them for a career in the outdoor industry," said Project Bike Tech Executive Director Mercedes Ross.
Project Bike Tech, a part of the Youth Cycling Coalition, uses bicycles and bicycle mechanics as a conduit to teach core academics, enhance lives, create career opportunities and inspire new generations to be passionate about bikes and ebikes. The only program of its kind in the country, Bike Tech in School is an accredited high school elective that teaches key academic concepts, provides a stepping-stone to a multitude of professional careers and fosters a lifelong engagement with the outdoor recreation industry.
West Virginia University's Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative is the local coordinator for the Youth Cycling Coalition pilot in Morgantown. By providing research-based evaluation, access to bikes and equipment and operational support coupled with an expertise in soft-surface trail and bike facility development, the Collaborative is able to advance the university's land-grant mission. Bike Tech in School is in direct alignment with the Collaborative's belief in linking outdoor education, recreation, positive youth development, workforce development and science to spark the next generation of innovators, educators and outdoor enthusiasts.
As part of the program, students will gain experience working with ebikes. Ebikes have exploded in popularity as more people look for alternative forms of transportation that are affordable and can help reduce emissions. As ebike adoption continues to grow at an incredible rate, Project Bike Tech's program is critical for providing high-quality training and offering transportation careers for the future.
"At Rad we are focused on changing the face of transportation by getting more people out of cars and onto ebikes. Educating and inspiring youth to get hands-on with ebikes is very important to shaping this movement," said Mike Radenbaugh, CEO and Founder, Rad Power Bikes. "I started building ebikes in my parents' garage at 15, it's exciting to support Project Bike Tech and its partners to provide a space for the next generation to learn and get excited about ebikes."
There are still a few days left to reach PBT's $100,000 goal, and organizers are urging people to help out and contribute. The Giving Tuesday media event and donation presentation will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at Mylan Park, Hazel and J. W. Community Center Pavillion.
"So we're close to our goal, but we still need folks to donate, if they can, so we can get our new classrooms up and running for 2022," Ross said. "If you have a passion for bicycles, and you're looking to contribute to a great and worthy cause, please consider donating to help these kids."
ABOUT PROJECT BIKE TECH
Founded in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California, Project Bike Tech developed the UC-accredited college-and-career-ready class, Bike Tech in School, that uses bicycle mechanics as a conduit to teach Common CORE and STEM elements to high school students. Bike Tech in School is a college-and-career-ready class that teaches students the necessary skills to work as a professional bicycle mechanic and provides a stepping stone to a multitude of cycling industry careers. The PBT curriculum also incorporates employment preparation activities, including resume writing, interview tactics, portfolio building, and workplace safety. Project Bike Tech is a thriving program that has successfully impacted more than 3,000 high school students in California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Utah, and Vermont.
ABOUT RAD POWER BIKES
Rad Power Bikes is the largest ebike brand in North America, with a community of more than 350,000 riders in more than 30 countries and thousands of business customers. Founded in 2007, the global consumer-direct company boasts a full lineup of affordable ebikes and accessories that are changing the way people and goods move. The global team of passionate ebike enthusiasts create products and service solutions that are purpose built whether that be for commuting, adventuring, delivery, or hauling kids. The company designs all of its products in-house at its Seattle headquarters and operates international offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, Utrecht, the Netherlands, and has teams in Shanghai, China and Taipei, Taiwan. The company has more than 20 Rad Mobile Service locations and 5 Rad Retail Stores and is expanding rapidly to serve riders across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Recognized by TIME, Fast Company, and INC. as one of the most innovative and influential companies in 2021, Rad Power Bikes is on a mission to build a world where transportation is energy-efficient, enjoyable, and accessible to all.
