Program Spotlight: Pedal Forward

Pedal Forward, Shift’s Workforce Development Program, builds confidence, connection and opportunity for participants | by Lawrence Hunter

At Shift Community Cycles, we believe everybody is a bike body — and that learning new skills can help people build confidence, connection, and opportunity. Our Pedal Forward workforce development program is one way we are committing to our mission and living in our values by creating pathways into the cycling industry for community members who have been historically underrepresented in the workforce.

Pedal Forward combines bicycle mechanic training, workplace readiness, and community engagement to help participants gain hands-on experience while building confidence in themselves and their abilities. Over 12 weeks, participants learn bicycle maintenance and repair skills alongside communication, teamwork, and customer service training designed to prepare them for future employment opportunities.

For participant Troy, the program offered the chance to finally pursue something he had always been interested in.

“I really wanted this class,” Troy shared. “It sounded like the right thing for me. I always wanted to learn to work on the bike. But the more complex mechanisms were intimidating.”

Before joining Pedal Forward, Troy said he was willing to attempt repairs but lacked the tools and confidence to fully work on his own bike. At one point, a flat tire sat unrepaired for nearly three weeks because he was afraid of making the problem worse.

Troy had already been familiar with Shift Community Cycles before entering the program. “I already really liked the shop,” he said. “I mean, where else in town can you get a bike tube for two bucks?”

After hearing about the workforce development opportunity through local shelter networks, Troy was nominated for a spot in the program. Funding uncertainty nearly prevented him from participating, but additional community sponsorship support opened new spaces just before the registration deadline.

Today, Troy is building both mechanical knowledge and confidence through hands-on learning and community support — demonstrating exactly what Pedal Forward is designed to do: create opportunity, strengthen community connections, and help participants shift into new possibilities.