Heartwarming News: Indianapolis Nonprofit Empowers Kids To Build Their Own Bikes
🚲 Indianapolis kids are building more than just bikes – they’re building confidence, skills, and brighter futures! ✨ #KidsBuildingBikes #YouthEmpowerment #BicyclesForAll
Kids Cheer as They Become Bike-Building Graduates
Indianapolis, IN – As the sun set on a warm Thursday evening last month, the air was filled with excitement and pride at the Nine13sports headquarters in Indianapolis. A group of teenagers and their parents cheered loudly as they were officially declared graduates of the Kids Building Bikes program. These five students from Independence Academy, a local school for students with autism, had just completed an incredible journey.
Hands-On Learning Leads to Feelings of Accomplishment
Over the course of a month, these students spent 16 hours immersed in the hands-on work of building a bicycle from start to finish. They learned how to use various tools, practiced proper safety techniques, and got their hands dirty with grease. It was challenging at times, but the sense of accomplishment they felt was immeasurable. As one student rode his new bike through the nearby park, he beamed with pride, thinking “I built this”.
Parents Amazed by Transformative Program
The parents were blown away by the experience. They hadn’t been sure what to expect, especially with the unique needs of their children, but the Nine13sports staff exceeded all expectations. One mom called it one of the best programs she’d ever seen. The growth in confidence they witnessed in their kids was the number one piece of feedback.
Building Bikes Builds Brighter Futures
The goal of Kids Building Bikes is to expose youth to bicycles and mechanics who might not otherwise have that opportunity. The program directors, with backgrounds in bicycles, motorcycles, teaching, and design, hope to inspire healthy habits and career paths. Even if participants never touch a bike again, the skills and confidence they gain could lead them to become auto mechanics, engineers, or pursue other passions.
Inclusive Program Makes Bikes Accessible to All
Thanks to generous donors and funding partners, Kids Building Bikes is able to offer significant scholarships to all participants, ensuring that cost is not a barrier. The program is open to students in 4th grade and up, and takes place at their dedicated Building Bikes Lab in Indianapolis. Nine13sports believes every child should have equitable access to the joy and benefits of bicycling.
Building More Than Just Bikes
The Kids Building Bikes program is about so much more than wrenches and wheels. It’s about fostering confidence, independence, problem-solving skills, and perseverance in young people from all walks of life. As these students proudly ride off on the bikes they built with their own hands, they carry with them not just a new set of skills, but a profound sense of accomplishment and self-belief.
Nine13sports is paving the way for a future where every child, regardless of background, can experience the freedom, joy, and countless benefits that bicycling brings. Want to find out more? Learn how to register for classes here. In the heart of Indianapolis, they’re building more than just bikes – they’re building brighter futures, one spoke at a time.
🗣 Do your kiddos love riding bikes? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
