When I moved to Pittsburgh, as an 18 year old, I still hadn’t learned how to ride a bike.

Fast forward to today and I am not only a daily bike commuter, but now I get to lead BikePGH’s amazing youth bicycling program, Positive Spin, and teach middle school kids how to ride.

Seven years ago, I started pedaling my rusty Craigslist find out into the city to commute home from work late at night. It wasn’t easy. However, I knew that overcoming my fears of riding in the streets would make me a more self-reliant and resilient person. I see students go through a similar growth as they gain confidence riding in Pittsburgh.

Positive Spin empowers kids through demystifying the bike, learning the rules of the road, and engaging in our communities through creative advocacy projects. We ride along rivers, bridges, and business districts, and watch as the kids experience the city like they never have before.

At various times, I’ve heard our students yelling, “I’m free!”

Ultimately I want to see more kids getting around by bike, especially biking to school. Positive Spin students’ excitement around biking has lead to achievement in attendance, academic performance, and their health. By helping Pittsburgh’s youth gain access to the many benefits of cycling as transportation at an early age, we’re making a positive impact on their lives.

Donate to Bike Pittsburgh’s Year End Campaign and a portion of your dollars will help get youth on bikes through our Positive Spin program. Give what you can — $5, $10, $50, $100, it all matters. Every donation we receive through this blog post will receive a We Defeat Hills sticker made by one of our Positive Spin students.

Sincerely,

Julie Mallis

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Donate $5.00 to BikePGH’s Year End Giving Campaign and we will mail you a We Defeat Hills sticker designed by a Positive Spin student! Your support will help us reach our $5,000 stretch goal.