For more than 400 children across Michigan, a new bike has represented far more than a way to get from A to B. It's provided self-belief, independence, connection, and the freedom to explore the world on two wheels.
Nonprofit initiative Riding Towards Success is using the power of cycling to recognise children who demonstrate kindness, resilience, and compassion, rewarding them with brand-new kids’ bikes and the chance to discover the freedom, adventure, and joy of cycling.
Founded by two police officers with a passion for making a positive impact in their community, Riding Towards Success has grown into a successful youth cycling program connecting schools, organisations, and supporters to celebrate young people whose efforts often go unnoticed.
Since launching the initiative in 2020, it has provided more than 400 children with quality bicycles, helmets, and safety equipment, helping young riders gain independence both on and off the bike. Through its partnership with Reid Bikes, Riding Towards Success continues to provide reliable, durable kids’ bikes that encourage outdoor activity, exploration, and a lifelong love of cycling.
From individual bike giveaways to larger school cycling programs, Riding Towards Success demonstrates how giving children access to a bicycle can open doors, strengthen communities and create opportunities that last well beyond childhood.
We spoke with Ryan Cramer, Co-founder of Riding Towards Success to learn more about their mission, the impact of their youth cycling program, and why they believe every child deserves the chance to ride.
- 🚲 400+ bikes gifted to children in the community
- 🏫 14+ school districts supported
- ❤️ 100+ Reid bikes gifted this year
- 🎓 School cycling programs created to support hundreds of students
- 🤝 Built through local partnerships and donations
How Riding Towards Success is using kids’ bikes to inspire the next generation
Riding Towards Success is a nonprofit youth cycling initiative founded and operated by two police officers in Michigan who wanted to share their passion for cycling while creating a meaningful way to recognise young people who often go unnoticed.
Ryan explained “Six years ago, the program began with a simple mission: to reward children who consistently demonstrate kindness, respect, perseverance, and compassion, but who may not always receive the recognition they deserve or have access to a quality bicycle of their own.
Since then, Riding Towards Success has grown into a community-supported bike donation program working with numerous school districts, as well as local coaches, educators, counsellors, and community leaders who nominate deserving students. Each selected child receives a brand-new Reid kids’ bike, helmet, and taillight. It’s far more than a bicycle, it gives them the opportunity to discover new places, build self-belief, and experience the joy of riding.”
Building confidence and connection through the power of cycling
Ryan commented, “As police officers, we often meet children during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. We wanted to create opportunities to build positive relationships outside of those situations and show young people that their community believes in them.”
The motivation behind Riding Towards Success comes from seeing the life-changing impact a bike can have on a child. For children who have experienced trauma, loss, or hardship, receiving a quality bicycle can provide more than a way to get around, it can offer a sense of independence, belonging, and a chance to build positive relationships.
Through the support of local businesses, generous donors, and cycling organisations, the youth cycling program is able to continue providing bikes and opportunities for kids who simply need someone willing to invest in their future. Every bike gifted represents a reminder that they are valued, supported, and part of a caring neighbourhood.
How one bike can create lasting change in a child’s life
One story that has stayed with us is a young boy who received a bike through the Riding Towards Success program during a challenging time in his life. Before joining the program, he had limited opportunities to build trusted relationships with members of his community.
After receiving his new Reid bike, everything began to change. Throughout the summer, he regularly rode to our office to visit, chat, and spend time with trusted adults who supported him.
Ryan said, “The bike became more than just a gift, it created chances for connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging.”
A children’s bike can be a powerful tool for building friendships, encouraging independence, and showing young people that their community believes in them.
Providing more than 400 bikes and creating opportunities for children
Our mission has always been to recognise children for their character while opening doors they may not otherwise have. We believe a kids’ bike represents much more than transportation, it represents independence, personal growth, adventure, and the freedom to explore the world around them.
Over the years, Riding Towards Success has been honoured to provide more than 400 bikes to children in and around Michigan. This year alone, we have gifted more than 100 Reid bikes to deserving students, helping them experience the excitement and self-belief that comes from owning a bike of their own.
Ryan commented “Seeing kids smile, build confidence, and enjoy the freedom of riding reminds us why this program matters. Every bike donated sends a powerful message, that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and encouraged!”
Why access to a quality bike matters for children
Riding Towards Success reminds people that small acts of kindness can create a lasting impact. When a community comes together to support young people through initiatives like a kids' bike program, incredible things can happen.
Ryan explained, “We want every child to know that they are seen, valued, and supported. A bicycle can be a powerful way to encourage resilience, independence, and a love for being active outdoors, while also creating meaningful connections with the people around them.
We also hope our work inspires others to recognise the importance of character, kindness, and perseverance - not just academic or athletic achievements, and to continue creating positive experiences for young people through cycling.”
A partnership built around helping more kids ride
Our partnership with Reid Bikes began through Mark at Scooters Pro Cycle in Holt, Michigan. Mark has been a tremendous supporter of our program and has always believed that the children we serve deserve access to quality kids’ bicycles.
After meeting Reid representatives at a bicycle industry show in Chicago, Mark shared our story and the mission behind Riding Towards Success. From the beginning, the Reid team understood our goal of providing children with reliable, durable bikes that could create lasting memories and experiences. Their reputation for producing dependable bikes at exceptional value made Reid the ideal partner, allowing us to help even more children experience the joy of owning a bike.
Reid Bikes has supported our program by helping with pricing, shipping, product availability, and flexible payment terms, all incredibly important as our initiative is funded entirely through donations and local support.
Rather than simply supplying bikes, Reid Bikes has become a long-term partner in helping Riding Towards Success expand its impact. Through reliable, high-quality bicycles and ongoing support, Reid is helping ensure more children have access to bikes they can enjoy for years to come.
Rob Akam, CEO of Reid Bikes said: "We're proud to support organisations like Riding Towards Success that are creating meaningful opportunities for young people in their local communities. Their passion, commitment, and the impact they're making is inspiring, and we're delighted to play a small part in helping them continue to grow and reach even more children across Michigan."
The power of community partnerships in supporting youth cycling
Riding Towards Success is powered by local support. Operated by two full-time police officers and a dedicated regional bike shop owner, the program relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organisations to continue providing reliable kids’ bicycles and better access to cycling for young riders.
There are many ways to get involved, including sponsoring a child, making a financial donation, becoming a community partner, or helping bring the youth cycling program to more schools.
This year, we expanded beyond individual bike giveaways by partnering with a nearby school district to create a permanent fleet of bicycles for students. With the support of our community, we provided 25 Reid mountain bikes, an instructor bike, and a specially adapted tricycle for students with physical disabilities. These bikes will support hundreds of students through Outdoor Life classes while also providing hands-on learning opportunities for STEM students who help maintain and service the fleet.
By creating access to quality bicycles and cycling education, Riding Towards Success is helping more young people get active, discover the world outdoors, and experience the lifelong benefits of riding.
How to support Riding Towards Success
The success of this project has already inspired several other school districts to explore similar programs. We believe giving young people opportunities to get outside, stay active, and experience the freedom of cycling creates benefits that last a lifetime.
Seeing a child or parent’s reaction when they receive a bike, or watching students gain confidence while riding during class, is why we continue this work. We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our supporters and outstanding partners like Reid Bikes.
Want to learn more about Riding Towards Success and support their mission of providing bikes to children? Visit Riding Towards Success to discover how you can get involved.
At Reid Bikes, we're proud to partner with organisations like Riding Towards Success that are making cycling more accessible for young people. Together, we're helping more children discover the freedom of riding while supporting communities that are creating lasting opportunities for the next generation.
