Youth Programs

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:10pm — seanmadsen

Our mission

We use the bicycle as a tool to foster young people’s leadership, development, and sense of individual and collective power to transform their own lives, strengthen communities and build a just and sustainable planet.

Since 1990, when the first Earn-A-Bikers set up shop at the tennis courts on Centre Street, over 3,000 Boston youth have participated in BNB Youth Programs. Every program at BNB is active, hands-on and peer-led. Our programs ask for a great deal of commitment from participants, but they also provide mentorship, support and opportunities for growth within BNB.

Bikes Not Bombs is committed to working against the pervasive adultism in our society. We believe that the best youth programs are ones that involve young people not only as participants but also as consultants and ones that give young people the opportunity to self-manage and become leaders.

In BNB’s Youth Programs, participants have the opportunity to learn everything from basic bike maintenance and city riding to all the skills needed to work as a bicycle mechanic. Maybe you’re someone who needs to learn how to ride, maybe you want to take home your very first bike, or maybe you’re an experienced rider; no matter who you are there is a BNB program for you. Check out the options and how to apply here and feel free to call, email or visit if you have any more questions.

About Each Program

Earn-A-Bike

For:

Boys and Girls, ages 12-18

Earn-A-Bike is a learning and earning bicycle program. Over the course of the six-week program, participants will completely overhaul a bicycle while learning how to safely ride and navigate the city of Boston. During mechanics lessons, participants will be taught how to repair a part of the bicycle; then they’ll roll up their sleeves and do it themselves. On group bike rides, participants will learn the ins and outs of Boston’s system of bike lanes and paths, riding to and from parks, basketball courts and local businesses. Read more...

Girls In Action

For:

Girls only, ages 12-18

Girls in Action is BNB’s all-girls program. Just like our co-ed Earn-A-Bike program, Girls in Action combines bicycle mechanics and riding and is a great way for girls aged 12-18 to learn new things, make friends, get active and earn a bike of their own! In addition to mechanics, GIA offers fitness, safety, and environmental activities, as well as weekly workshops or field trips! You might visit an urban farm, learn how to do henna tattoos, or do community service, all while meeting other cool girls and learning how to completely rebuild a bike. Read more...

Vocational Education

For:

Youth and adults, 15 and older, co-ed

Bikes Not Bombs’ Vocational Education Program (Voc Ed) is an 80-hour course for adults and youth (age 15 and older), offered at our Hub in Jamaica Plain. Voc Ed provides a unique job training opportunity for those who are motivated to learn bicycle repair and mechanics. During the class, skilled trainers take students through all of the systems of a bicycle and provide detailed explanations coupled with hands-on learning. Students who thrive in an experiential learning environment will benefit from the interactive structure of the Vocational Education Program as they build, troubleshoot, and test ride bicycles. Read more...

STRIVE

For:

Boys and Girls, ages 12-18

STRIVE is a comprehensive transition program providing support services to Boston Public Schools students with disabilities. STRIVE is part of Boston’s School to Career/Technical Vocational Education system, developing training and employment opportunities for students in a variety of career pathways. The program serves students from all of Boston's public high schools. Read more...

On My Way On My Bike

For:

Boys and Girls, ages 11-15

On My Way, On My Bike is an introductory summer program focused on health, fitness and cycling. Each summer BNB partners with a local organization, to add bicycle mechanics and riding into existing summer camp activities. For the summer of 2012, Bikes Not Bombs will be partnering with Camp Harbor View. Read more...

Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action (B.O.C.A.)

A community organizing project within Bikes Not Bombs’ Youth Employment Program, B.O.C.A. stands for Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action. This group of Youth Employees is dedicated to making bicycling accessible to residents of all Boston neighborhoods. To that end they are working to increase the miles of bike lanes in low-income neighborhoods, to bring bicycle repair and sales to neighborhoods without shops and to teach youth outside of BNB how to keep their bikes safe and road ready. Read more...

Youth Employment

For:

Boston youth, ages 15-18, who have successfully completed two BNB programs

All of Bikes Not Bombs programs are run by Youth Employees, program alumni who are trained to teach mechanics lessons, lead group rides and be amazing peer leaders. Youth Employees at Bikes Not Bombs also receive one-on-one mentorship and professional development training in resume and cover letter writing, job interview practice, gender sensitivity and teaching techniques. Teens may also be employed to work with B.O.C.A. - "Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action. Read more...

Adult Instructor Training

For:

Adults 18+, co-ed

Do you love cycling and want to share that passion with Boston youth? Are you looking for a meaningful way to volunteer with a local non-profit? If so, Adult Instructor Training might be for you. This 30-hour course, taught by BNB Youth Employees provides the foundation in bike mechanics, teaching methods, behavior management, and age and gender sensitivity that you need to successfully volunteer in BNB Youth Programs. In exchange for the free training all you to do is commit to volunteering one afternoon each week in a BNB Youth Program such as Earn-A-Bike or Girls in Action. Read more...