Local Teens Helping Their Community
Two Wisconsin Bike Fed programs are providing opportunities for teens to learn how to help people of all ages safely ride a bicycle in the Milwaukee area – as Junior Safe Routes to School Instructors and the Mobile Bike Repair team.
Meet the Milwaukee Junior Safe Routes to School Instructors
For three years, the Wisconsin Bike Fed has been offering internships and summer employment opportunities for teens here in Milwaukee County.
This summer, five teens joined our team of Safe Routes To School (SRTS) instructors and have been providing support at our summer bike camps. The goal of this program is to create a pipeline of careers for youth who are interested in the world of cycling and active transportation.
Read on to learn, in their own words, what interested them in this job and how they are enjoying working as Junior SRTS Instructors so far!
Jaden
“I want to give back to the community. In my third year as a Junior Safe Routes Instructor, I am advancing my knowledge, promoting bikes as transportation, and teaching others how to ride efficiently and safely. I especially enjoy helping kids realize that riding in the street is not as scary as it seems.”
Callum
“I was very excited at the idea of getting paid to ride my bike! That was a real real eye catcher for a teen like myself. In the last few weeks, I’ve loved watching the students’ growth from the start of the camps, to the end. I see them learn how to communicate while riding on city streets and I’m also really enjoying exploring new parts of the city.”
Naomi
“I participated in Bike Fed camps when I was younger and now I get to help other children experience what I did in bike camp. I enjoy seeing kids take feedback and gain the confidence they need to ride. I see them having fun, letting go of their fears, and learning to trust their bodies and their bikes!”
Ricky
“My motivation for working as a Junior Safe Routes Instructor stems from my desire to provide children with an enriching experience in Milwaukee, while simultaneously imparting essential safety knowledge regarding bicycling. What I particularly enjoy about this job is the opportunity to introduce the children to their community and witness their joy and excitement.”
Simone
“I was looking for a summer job where I wouldn’t be stuck inside in an office all day so I instantly knew I would enjoy this job. I love working with kids and watching them grow from training wheels to riding 10 miles in a day. I get to bike around town, be part of an incredible organization, and have a positive impact on youth in Milwaukee; I couldn’t ask for a better job!”
Meet the Milwaukee Mobile Bike Repair Team
The Milwaukee Mobile Bike Repair program trains and employs youth to repair bikes for free in underserved communities of Milwaukee. We provide this service via cargo bikes to bring tools and supplies directly to neighborhood hubs like libraries, playgrounds, parks, and community centers. Teens get hands-on experience learning valuable career skills and helping out residents across the city while earning a bike and a wage. We invite you to learn more about the program and meet the 2026 summer team below and through this reel:
Tanysia
“I wanted to apply for the mechanic summer internship because it is a unique experience to me, as I’ve never worked in mechanics much before. I’ve always been curious to learn about it and expand my future opportunities. I’m looking forward to learning new things about how to fix bikes to expand my skill set.”
Noah
“I applied for this job because I love bikes and I like to help people out.”
Marissa
“The reason why I applied for the bike mechanic internship was because I’ve always enjoyed riding bikes, but never actually had a chance to repair a bike. This made the bike internship a great opportunity for me to learn. What I’m looking forward to about this job is learning a new skill that I haven’t accomplished yet. I’m looking forward to all the cool bike repairs this summer!”
Hats Off to the Next Generation of Cycling Leaders!
We are so proud of the teens that participate and grow in our programs, while they help and inspire others to safely ride a bike!