Giving bikes to keen cyclists at Father Lacombe High School
What’s the best way to transform how students move, connect, and experience their city?
Give them cycling skills and the bikes get around on two wheels. That’s exactly what Youth en Route did at Father Lacombe High School over October and November.
After teaching 400 students cycling in Physical education classes this semester, we asked youth to let us know if they wanted a bike. A whopping 115 kids responded.
We started the bike giveaway process on October 30, with 58 bikes finding new homes.
They also received a helmet, U-lock and tool kit : Everything they need to start biking confidently.
The journey so far
This giveaway is the result of a month’s worth of hard work. Throughout October, Youth en Route worked with over 400 students in eight Physical Education classes at Father Lacombe High School.
For many students, it was their first time ever riding a bike, and by the end of the month, each of them had mastered the basics. It wasn’t just about balancing on two wheels. it was about building confidence, independence, and the joy of exploring the world on their own terms. We plan on keep doing our work next semester at Forest Lawn.
Many students shared they plan to use their new bike to get to school. Some suggested they’d be able to find a job now they could travel around faster.
Why bikes matter?
Over the past three years, Youth en Route has learned an important lesson: access to resources changes everything.
“Skills alone won’t change transportation choices,” says Laura Shutiak, founder of Youth en Route.
“We know that for a student to choose biking as a transportation option, they need more than just the skills, they need a bike, safe routes, and secure storage. Without access to a bike, none of the other factors matter.”
Through the Big Bike Giveaway, Youth en Route is providing students with exactly what they need to make cycling a sustainable and more consistent choice. This isn’t just about getting from point A to point B, t’s about giving students the freedom to move independently, improve their health, and strengthen social connections. We are able to do this with a generous donation from 100-men Who give a Damn Calgary (link !!!) which paid for helmets, locks etc.
Looking Ahead
This giveaway is just the beginning. Father Lacombe High School is already planning to launch a bike club that will take students on supervised urban rides. This initiative will give students even more opportunities to grow their cycling skills, build confidence, and experience the city from a new perspective. Bikes are freedom !
A big thank you goes to our funders:
