PROJECT BIKE TECH

WHAT IS PROJECT BIKE TECH?

 
 

Like Auto Shop for Bikes…But So Much More

Project Bike Tech (PBT) uses bicycle education as a conduit to teach core academics, enhance lives, create career opportunities and inspire new generations to be passionate about bikes. It is the only program of its kind in the country and it is the on-ramp for young adults to develop a life-long engagement with the bicycle lifestyle while learning key academic concepts.

         PBT’s primary program, Bike Tech in School, is a credited high school elective that uses bicycle mechanics as a conduit to teach Common CORE and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) elements to students. Project Bike Tech’s proprietary curriculum currently is classified under the Transportation Sector of Career Technical Education as an Introduction to Systems Diagnostics, Service and Repair.  We also incorporate career building skills and techniques as a component of our class. Students leave our course knowing the basics of portfolio building, resume writing and interview tactics.

         Project Bike Tech is now entering its 17th year in 2024. The program got its start at the Bicycle Trip bike shop in Santa Cruz, California by the shop’s owner and founder Berri Michel. Berri worked with a team from the shop to build the grassroots program from the ground up. The curriculum was created and developed by PBT along with industry partners to give students a base in bicycle mechanics. Additional modules where then introduced to encompass career preparation portion of the class develops a student’s professional skills whether they pursue a career in the cycling industry or any other field.

         The PBT program is now a thriving program throughout the Bay Area in California and is spreading nationwide. Over the years, PBT has successfully impacted more than 3000 students. Whether graduates directly enter the workforce or continue on to college, they become aware of how core academic principles can be applied in real world situations, how cycling can lead to a healthy and green lifestyle and how to properly present themselves as a prospective employee regardless of where they pursue a career.

CLASSROOM IN A BOX + SUPPORT = PBT

Project Bike Tech helps schools and communities establish classrooms and then provides support to help each program thrive. PBT’s Bike Tech in School takes it from there, using bicycles and bicycle mechanics to teach students everything from geometry to city planning while helping students look at bikes as a sustainable source of transportation, a road to healthy living and a means for connecting with the outdoors.

PBT HELPS SCHOOLS ACHIEVE & MAINTAIN:

  • A dedicated classroom

  • Curriculum

  • New bicycles

  • Teacher and Student workbenches and bike stands

  • Specialty tools and consumables

  • Helmets for riding

  • Industry continuing education programs

 

PBT ALSO PROVIDES:

  • Facilitates bicycle industry, community, and school partnerships

  • Provides classroom setup and product supply

  • Coordinates discounted pricing for classroom setup

  • Assists with teacher search if needed

  • Supplies & updates class curriculum, materials and tech. modules

  • Provides certificates for graduates

PBT ALSO PROVIDES (CONTINUED):

  • Provides marketing, communications and publicity templates

  • Teacher support network

  • Creates sponsorship programs and fundraising support

  • Provides interactive website & community resources

  • Provides resources and industry job openings

OUR HISTORY

Project Bike Tech got its start at the Bicycle Trip bike shop in Santa Cruz, California. Bike Trip Co-owner Berri Michel worked with a team from the shop to build the grassroots program from the ground up.

“We envisioned it being similar to how the auto industry spearheaded the creation of high school auto shop programs back in the 1930’s,” Berri said, “So we set out to create new generations passionate and knowledgeable about bikes. And it’s such a fun way to learn!”

The original curriculum was created to give students a base in bicycle mechanics. Additional modules were then introduced to encompass real world job preparation training including resume writing, interview techniques, inventory management, POS systems, sales and team working skills.

The PBT program is now thriving throughout California and is spreading nationwide. Over the years, PBT has successfully introduced more than 3000 students to the bicycle industry as a career pathway. Whether graduates directly enter the workforce or continue on to college, they become lifelong supporters of the bicycle community.