Bike Smart!, a program of Ecology Action, carries out its bicycle safety education trainings for youth at schools, community centers and events in Santa Cruz County. The program offers classroom Bicycle Street Skills Presentations, hands-on bicycle skills Obstacle Courses (a.k.a. “Rodeos”) and Community Rides (on-street training), as well as bicycle safety Education Booths. Thanks to grants from local organizations like Cyclists for Cultural Exchange, as well as government and private foundation grants, these services are provided free to schools and non-profit community organizations. Over 1000 youth participate in Bike Smart! trainings every year.

Cyclists for Cultural Exchange is a long-time supporter of Bike Smart!, a youth bicycle education program based in Santa Cruz, California. Bike Smart! began as the result of one local bike shop owner’s vision of hands-on bicycle education in local schools. Berri Michel, owner of the Bicycle Trip in Santa Cruz, started the program (formerly called Better World Bicycle Safety Program) in 2003. She wanted students to have the opportunity to experience the joy of bicycling while learning essential bicycle safety skills.