The organization now works with 200 kids each year, promoting bicycles for community involvement and as alternative transportation. In a shop on Riverside Avenue in Santa Cruz, Growing Cycles provides the workspace, tools and knowledge needed to start kids on the path towards bike expertise. The maintenance program works on a drop-in basis and is open to anyone between the ages of 9 and 18. Kids come by after school or on weekends and sign up for a time slot at one of six work-stations. Younger participants, between 8 and 12, work with a partner.
Partners can be program volunteers or older kids with more bike experience.
When kids graduate, they take away more than knowledge of bike repair. They have job skills, enhanced self-esteem, and experience helping others. Young adults who have experience with bicycles are hired during the summer to work with the program. In addition, Growing Cycles organizes community bike trips during the summer. Growing Cycles encourages community bike usage by organizing valet bike parking at the Santa Cruz farmers market and at other community events.