Nancy Stimson is executive director of Freewheelin’, pictured here at the Polar Bear ride last January.
A recent partnership was formed between Nine13sports and Freewheelin’, both non-profits, to offer more opportunities for youth participating in their programs. This collaboration is an extension of a relationship between Nine13sports and the Indy Criterium which hosts the annual cycling race and festival to raise money for Freewheelin’ Community Bikes.
Nine13sports is an organization that offers programs for youths between the ages of 8-18, that promotes health, wellness and exercise using the bicycle as a tool. The curriculum and equipment like helmets, bicycles and stationary trainers, are provided by experienced cycling professionals at no cost to schools, youth programs, or other community organizations sponsoring Nine13sports programs.
The newly formed partnership seems like a match made in heaven because Freewheelin’ also solely focuses on bicycling for the youth. Freewheelin’ offers a program called “Earn-a-Bike” which gives kids the opportunity to learn how to fix a bike through 30 hours of working and learning to eventually earn their own bike.
In either organization, youth with a passion for cycling, may enter the Ultimate Freewheelin’ program, a personally challenging bike trip of at least a week and up to 250 miles. Kids will plan, lead, camp, cook and learn about working together as a team. By collaborating Nine13sports will encourage interested youth to become more involved with Freewheelin’ and will provide their “Event Traks” program during winter months so kids can ride stationary bikes indoors.
“The visions of both organizations, along with the framework each has already laid, only serves to better the youth community, local bicycling awareness, cycling advocacy, and ultimately community growth through the bicycle right here in Indianapolis” said Executive Director for Freewheelin’, Nancy Stimson.
The collaboration will allow both organizations to grow as well as provide youth activities and programs that spark interest and passion for bicycling, health and wellness.
