Youth en Route works with schools across Calgary, providing educational programs and bike equipment including fleets, helmets, locks, and racks. We also work with the members of our new Youth Advisory Council, and depend on the support of our incredible donors.

We welcome you to work with us! There are three ways to get involved with Youth en Route: 1. Sign up your school, 2. Join our Youth Advisory Council, 3. Become a donor. 

Sign up your school to host one of our programs. Our Cyclists in Residence conduct educational classes with youth, teaching them the ABC’s of the bike, how to safely and skillfully ride a bike, and how to follow the rules of the road while way-finding. Our innovative charity offers students the ability and accessibility to choose active transportation, at no cost!

We provide support for teachers to enhance classes with supported learning:

• We bring bikes, helmets and Cyclists in Residence, staff to support and supervise students as they learn the fundamentals of cycling as transportation.
• Suggested route maps for students, bike education including riding, safety, maintenance. We’ll help with whatever you need to get students active and independent.
• Great opportunities for Leadership, Calm or PE classes to get involved in a range of ways that connect to curriculum.

What we’d like from schools to make projects a success:

• We can work with your school goals and teacher needs to plan a project that works for your school.
• We love engaging parents through School Council and are happy to present at meetings
• Student leaders interested in active travel, health or environment can really drive positive change at your school. Student involvement is not necessary, but really helps.
• Teacher or Admin Champions – again, not necessary, but really helps.

“I feel like the instructors were amazing that we had come in. The quality was great and we would love to have Youth en Route back any time. It’s a good program for the whole school to be involved with. I’ve been blown away by the experience and I would love to do this again every semester with my students.” – Renee Russell, Physical Education Learning Leader, Our Lady of the Rockies High School

Youth en Route is always open to accepting more bike donations. These donations are fixed up by the Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society at their Bike Shed, and are then added to the fleets we provide to schools around Calgary.

What kind of bikes do we take? Our preference is Adult bikes of all sizes, with upright geometry and handlebars and easy-to-work shifters. If you can find your bike on Bicycle Blue Book we can write a tax receipt for your donation. Please remember those values are in US dollars. We will pay the comparable Canadian Rate, at the lowest end of the suggested value. Tax receipts are issued quarterly. We are also always looking for Trikes and Adaptive Bikes that we send to special needs classes at schools. 

What else could you donate? Locks, helmets, lights, bike equipment, saddle bags, cold and wet weather gear, safety equipment like vests, spare parts, tires, and bike repair equipment. Youth en Route appreciates all types of donations that help us empower youth to choose active transportation.

We also accept money donations. Funding from our incredible donors goes toward purchasing equipment like helmets and proper U-Locks for students, as well as everything we need to make our initiatives happen like communications and marketing materials, food and drink for students, and prizes for participating schools. You can easily make a donation here. 

Please reach out using our contact form!