What is BikeFirst!?
Bike First! hosts an annual five-day camp to teach children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities the skills to ride two-wheel bicycles independently.
In addition, halfway through the week, we hold a Refresher Course for those who need more skills or confidence, and a Quick Start, which is designed for individuals without disabilities who haven’t yet learned to ride and require additional support.
Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2007, we are proud to have served over 900 people in our programs.
Typically developing children learn to ride a bicycle with help from their family and friends. Unfortunately, most individuals with disabilities who try this route are unsuccessful. For many people with disabilities, it’s a seemingly impossible task that they can typically master in less than a week at Bike First!.
Bike riding is more than just exercise and transportation: it’s a social activity of connection, a childhood rite of passage, and a first taste of independence. This unique approach has enabled many people with myriad disabilities to become independent bicycle riders.
Bike First! is proud to extend the opportunity for individuals to connect with their community through biking and share in the "simple pleasure of a bike ride."
Why Bike First!?
Committed to Our Mission
The mission of Bike First! is to empower people with disabilities to be independent, confident, healthy, and socially engaged by teaching them the skills to ride traditional two-wheeled bikes. We strive to spread the significance of Inclusion for All, break down barriers, and increase belonging in our communities.
DEIA Commitment
Bike First! is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism culture. We bring people from diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and life experiences together in a setting where all feel valued and empowered. Each member of the Bike First! team shall be shown the utmost respect, and all will be given equal opportunity and encouragement to achieve their full potential. We embrace and encourage our riders’, employees’, volunteers’, and caregivers’ differences in disability, physical and mental ability, age, color, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our community members unique. Any form of harassment, even when not unlawful, will not be tolerated. Bike First! will endeavor to include former riders in the roles performed by staff and volunteers. All applicants meeting the bicycle camp criteria will be invited to participate. Our mission focuses on promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities to allow them to enjoy the fullest possible lives.
Contact us
Interested in joining us? Fill out some info and we will respond shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!