Support De Pere HS, Bike Club & Used Bikes Needed

UPDATE: Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. The Redbird Riders are very thankful for your genorisoity and support. So far we have raised close to $5,000 through this GoFundMe and checks. We recently purchased 5 fat tire bikes and have received many used bikes donations for members to use. The picture above is members on the new fat tires! It was all their first time riding a fat tire bike and they loved it!

We launched our new Bike Club - Red Bird Riders in September 2021 at De Pere High School. Our mission is to bring the love of biking to all students in De Pere and grow in community.

 

Our club now has 31 members and continues to grow. We have first-time bikers including freshmen to seniors and some students who have chosen this as their only club to belong to. Clubs allow students to connect with other kids that they wouldn't normally hang out with socially. This club gives them identity and a sense of belonging.

 

Redbird Riders have secured two corporate sponsors including Bank First and Broken Spoke who helped us purchase club t-shirts.  We are so appreciative of their support.

 

We have had many rides throughout the fall including cross country lead out, an ice cream run, Broken Spoke ride and a mechanical lesson, McWilliams Training ride, and Taco Wednesday ride.  

 

We have plans and events for the next couple of months and want to continue this healthy activity during the winter.

 

I asked Connor Beckett and James Lyga, two freshmen at De Pere High school who are members of Redbird Riders, "how did you feel about being a part of the biking club? And how did you like the rides you participated in? "

 

Connor responded with "Great! I like meeting new people! Our first ride to Dairy Queen was an easier ride and we got to know everybody. The other ride I went to was the road ride which I thought was fun. Going to these rides gets me to schedule time out of my day to go out and ride where I wouldn't be doing anything. "

 

James said "I think being a part of the bike club is cool. I normally bike on my own, but the club allows me to interact with different people. Having a club lets me try new things with something I like to do and also lets me explore the community as a whole with all the places we go."

 

However, we have many students who do not have or can’t afford a well-working bike. Our hope with this GoFundMe page is to raise $5000 to build used inventory for these students. Our goal is to raise enough money to buy 5 Used Fat Tire Bikes, 3 Used Mountain Bikes, and 2 Used All Purpose Bikes.  

 

We have secured a space at De Pere High School to store the bikes in a safe location. The bikes will be returned after all organized rides. The funds will also be used for bike locks and a small repair fund for the future.  

 

These bikes will be the property of the club and will be passed down through the years to new riders. We will have a process for signing up to use the bikes prior to all events.  

 

Thank you for supporting the club and students. Redbird Riders will continue to focus on all-level bikers and welcome everyone. Please reach out with any questions. We would also be so appreciative to take any bike donations as we are starting from zero. If you write a check, please write it out to “De Pere High School” and write “Redbird Riders” in the memo.

 

I personally have seen the club make a difference in students' lives since starting up Redbird Riders. From seeing new faces come on group rides, to us all laughing together while eating some tacos, this club has greatly impacted many students at the high school. It warms my heart to meet and make new friends that I would have never known if it wasn't for the bike club.

 

Bennett Bookter 

President of Redbird Riders