ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Young bicyclists are gearing up to host a national conference with a focus on bike-riding this summer.
Members of Community Bike Works, a mentoring program, will host the National Youth Bike Summit from June 14-16.
The three-day spectacle — expected to bring bike enthusiasts from all over the country — will feature bicycle-riding workshops, group rides, plus social events designed to help kids learn more about bicycling riding, racing and other tools of the sport.
The group ride, scheduled for the last day of the summit, will start at Muhlenberg College in Allentown and end at the SteelStacks campus in South Bethlehem.
From Atlanta to Allentown
The Community Bikes Works mentorship organization has three locations — two in Allentown and one in Easton.
Its “Earn a Bike” program, for students ages nine to 18, teaches basics of bike mechanics, bike safety and need-focused programming. At completion, students get to take the bike they built home.
Members of the Youth Bike Summit planning committee are Avery Daniels and Allentown-based middle and high school students Zayvian Tran, 13, Hector Mejia, 16, Isaac Francisco, 14, and Edwin Estevez, 16.
The team has been in charge of tasks such as reviewing workshop proposals from other bicycle and riding groups nationwide.
Daniels, who came to CBW when he was nine, now works as the group's youth projects coordinator.
"It will be a place for everyone to come together."Hector Mejia, 16
He was inspired to bring the conference here after attending the Youth Bike Summit in Atlanta in 2022.
Community Bike Works estimates that 500 local students benefit from the "Earn a Bike" program each year.
"Leaders from [National Youth Bike Summit] were fond of the work that we do here in the Valley," Daniels said. "We run one of the largest 'Earn a Bike,' programs in the country, little old small Allentown. I feel the summit is an opportunity for us to do that on a national level."
Organizers held a news conference Monday at Community Bike Works' shop on North Madison Street in Allentown.
Icebreakers
At the bike works, students learn not only the ins and outs of riding and caring for their wheels, but also lessons on organization.
The young riders, who pointed to their bike tires fresh with mud from a recent ride, said they are planning a teen-friendly party, dubbed Icebreakers, that is scheduled for the second night of the summit.
"We expect around 500 people to come to the summit, so on Saturday night we want to host something fun and relaxing after the rides when everyone is tired," Mejia said.
"Something to go with the overall message of the summit. It will be a place for everyone to come together."
For a schedule of events and to register for the Youth Bike Summit, click here.
