The 1000 Bikes Foundation is a not-for-profit organization which is dedicated to putting a bike in the hands of 1000 foster youth and their families in communities across the United States. 1000Bikes.org is a Cycling Advocacy Group with the intent of seeing more people on bike in a fun and SAFE manor!
Thru the creation of cycling based events ranging from the regular twice a week video show on all things cycling Bike Talks with Kitty Kat and CoolassMike. The shows covers topics ranging from laws and rules for cyclist to the technology and value of wearing a helmet when riding a bike. The show airs on Ustream at Http://BikeTalks.tv Tuesdays and Thursdays 5pm till 7pm PST.
1000Bikes.org is currently producing a Helmet Awareness and Education Traveling Exhibit. The show consist of 20-40 custom “altered” helmets to be put on display accompanied with educational information about cycling accidents and there relation to wearing a helmet. Information and images of technology and advancements in helmet technology and design to educate riders and nudge them closer to wearing a helmet. The show will be visiting 8-10 cycling communities across the USA starting in Los Angeles and on to San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Milwaukee, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. The goal is helmets on more cyclist heads.
The 1000 Bikes Foundation is more than just a charity; it is a movement that creates a treadmark in every city it rides through. Through the giving of equipment, education and demonstration projects, 1000 Bikes promotes the use of bicycles to foster youth and their families as a way of looking beyond their current situation, facilitating family bonding and encouraging healthier lifestyles.
The 1000 Bikes Foundation was established in April 2010 by Michael Bowers, a New York native who grew up in various foster homes. An avid biker and cycling enthusiast, Mike, or CoolAssMike as he is know in riding circles, had participated in “rides” throughout California, New York and Miami for years. While riding through Los Angeles, Mike began to desire a greater structure and purpose to his rides. He realized that if people could come together to ride a bike, with sometime up to 15,000 people on the road at one time, he can use that momentum and those numbers for a greater community impact.
In April 2010, Mike decided to organize his own monthly group ride “TheCoolAssRide” which was a purposeful 20 mile ride with over 100 youth and families, many equipped with CoolAssRide t-shirts. The inaugural ride began in mid-Wilshire’s Lafayette Park, went though Hollywood, Silver Lake, Hancock Park, Los Angeles and back to the Lafayette Park. Following the ride, Mike searched for a charity to donate proceeds from the sales of his t-shirts, but none seemed to merge his passion for bikes, family and his personal connection to youth living in the foster care system. Through his experience in foster homes he understood the need to help facilitate bonding activities for youth entering new homes, which he noticed was often missing. From that passion, the 1000 Bikes Foundation was founded.
