In April 2023 Quality Bicycle Products awarded a total of $50,000 to 12 bike shops committed to making positive change happen. Founded on the belief that getting more butts on bikes is crucial for the health of our communities, this grant helps bike shops create and encourage ridership among youth and underserved populations while improving the sustainability of the industry.
“The Q Community Grant continues to pull in hundreds of incredible applications from retailers that are actively making positive change in their communities. The winners of the 2023 grant have shown to be extremely dedicated businesses that are making an incredible impact on disinvested bike communities,” – Seth Nesselhuf, director of community at Quality Bicycle Products.
Here are the 2023 recipients:
Anson Bike Buddies
Hood River and Wasco County, OR
Partnering with Safe Routes to Schools and other non-profits to donate refurbished bikes to kids, caregivers, and adults with an emphasis on vulnerable communities.
Blue Wheel Bicycle & Charlottesville Community Bikes
Charlottesville, VA
Providing supplies to develop a new job training program for teens from groups that are underrepresented in the cycling industry.
Des Moines Street Collective
Des Moines, IA
Running the Summer Huskies Cycling Camp, which introduces elementary school students to biking through skill development and group rides.
Oasis Bike Workshop
Nashville, TN
Facilitating Queer Spokes, which offers open shop hours with access to tools, resources, and the guidance of trained bike mechanics.
Ohio City Bicycle Shop
Cleveland, OH
Expanding its Pay What You Can Program, which supplies recipients with essential accessories like locks, lights and fenders.
Park Hill Bike Depot & Bikes Together
Denver, CO
Using recycled bicycles as a vehicle for equitable social change, collective individual wellness, education and empowerment, and connection.
Scenic Routes Community Bicycle Center
San Francisco, CA
Offering a free flat fix and basic roadside maintenance class monthly centering women and queer folks as paid teachers and free learners.
Slipping Gears Cycling
Bangor, ME
Providing equipment, instruction, and a beginner/intermediate trail system to community members and teaching local teens bike maintenance, repair, trail work, and riding skills.
Smith Creek Cycles
Kelowna/Westbank British Columbia, Canada
Introducing youth who face barriers to participating in cycling to mountain biking through mentorship.
Susitna Bicycle Institute
Anchorage, AK
Expanding its capacity for running bike repair classes available to Alaskans who have been systemically excluded from cycling culture.
The ReCyclery of Jefferson County
Port Townsend, WA
Facilitating active transportation by “bike bus” to local elementary and middle schools weekly. The “bus” is led by high school apprentices.
Trips for Kids Bay Area
San Rafael, CA
Launching its Earn-a-Bike program in person, which focuses on middle and high school students who live in low-income communities throughout San Francisco.
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About Quality Bicycle Products
Quality Bicycle Products works to advance the experience of bicycling for the well-being of people and the planet. From developing our own compelling bicycle and accessory brands, to distributing the most comprehensive portfolio of top brands in the industry, to sparking advocacy efforts that increase ridership, Q serves as a common thread that weaves together retailers, suppliers, industry partners, and riders. With distribution centers in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Colorado, Vancouver, and Toronto, Q reaches a network of more than 5,000 independent retailers. As a certified B Corporation, we strive to be an extraordinary business partner and employer, and we have made good on that goal for more than 40 years. For more information about Quality Bicycle Products, visit qbp.com.
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Smith Creek Cycles in Kelowna, British Columbia
