At Outride, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is more than a day on our calendars. It’s a reminder of the values that guide our work: equity, community, and the belief that movement can be a vehicle for social change. Dr. MLK’s legacy of leadership, collective action, and insistence on dignity resonates with our work expanding access to cycling as a tool for wellbeing and connection for all.

Dr. MLK’s activism was rooted in movement, both literal and moral. Bicycling, too, moves people by creating social connections, increasing access to opportunity, and supporting wellbeing. At Outride, we use cycling as one form of Dr. MLK’s vision in action by driving programs and grants to strengthen communities, reduce barriers, and create shared spaces for all where people can thrive.

Partnering with Organizations Rooted in Black Communities

We’re especially grateful to partner with organizations that center Black communities and youth in their work. One organization we’ve partnered with since 2021, Blackstone Bicycle Works (BBW), a program of the Experimental Station in Chicago, embodies this mission. As a community bike shop and learning hub, Blackstone offers youth programming, bike‑repair training, and pathways to employment while creating safe, welcoming spaces for neighbors to gather and ride.

Their impact is both personal and far‑reaching: in 2025, 500+ South Side youth learned bike mechanic skills, 400+ community members received free repair support, and 95 free bikes were given to youth!

That impact comes to life in stories like Chantrel Lee’s. Growing up in Woodlawn, she found belonging and mentorship at BBW, learning to fix bikes and discovering a place where she could simply be herself. Today, she carries those values into her work as a Resource Coordinator and Victim Advocate with Project H.O.O.D.

Fifteen years later, her son Dre unknowingly followed her path. After stopping by BBW to fix a broken chain, he joined their Spring Break Camp and became immersed in tools, bikes, and hands‑on learning. It’s the first extracurricular that has truly excited him, giving him confidence and community - the same way it did for his mom. Stories like theirs show how Blackstone Bicycle Works, celebrating 20 years in 2026, continues to help youth learn, connect, and thrive across generations.

As Chantrel says, “Every kid needs a bike, and a place like this.”

We invite you to join us in celebrating Blackstone Bicycle Works by supporting their work, learning more about the program, and following along on Instagram (@blackstonebikes), as well as the local organizations in your community that are expanding access and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can experience the power of bicycling.

A Community Gathering at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

This year, Outride’s Chazz Robinson had the privilege of joining a powerful celebration at Dr. MLK Jr. Middle School, led by Riding for Focus teacher John Glodek. The event, “Riding a Shared Path, Having a Dream”, brought students, educators, and community partners together to reflect on MLK’s impact, demonstrating how bicycling can be a practical, joyful expression of community building and activism.

The event highlighted Dr. MLK’s far‑reaching influence as the celebration included distinguished guests and international voices, honoring his accomplishments alongside leaders such as the Polish Ambassador Klich and the founder of World Bicycle Day, Leszek Sibilski. That global recognition reminded everyone in the room that Dr. MLK’s message of justice and solidarity travels across borders and generations. And… Dr. King was a cyclist himself! This surprise to many made the day feel especially fitting and a little bit magical.

Leadership Sparks Community Change

Events like the MLK Jr. Middle School celebration and the dedicated work of organizations like Blackstone Bicycle Works remind us that it takes leaders - teachers, community organizers, and everyday neighbors - to spark and sustain community change. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. modeled how moral clarity and collective action can reshape public life and partners like Blackstone Bicycle Works show how local leadership turns that vision into everyday practice. We are humbled and grateful to work alongside so many leaders in this space. Their creativity, persistence, and care make it possible for more people to ride for well‑being and to ride for life.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with students, teachers, and community partners reminds us why this work is important - connecting movement with equality, opportunity, and justice. As we pedal forward, we carry Dr. MLK’s spirit with us, honoring his legacy by supporting leaders and organizations that create lasting change. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, speak up, and pedal forward. We’re honored to do this work alongside you all as we continue to ride together.

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Outride Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As Chantrel says, “Every kid needs a bike, and a place like this.”