From Setback to Momentum: Shifting Gears is Rolling Again!

Earlier this spring, Propel ATL’s Shifting Gears Program faced a major setback when 26 bikes and essential equipment were stolen from our youth cycling afterschool program in partnership with the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation. These bikes represented more than just gear—they were tools for confidence-building, independence, and safe mobility for Atlanta’s young riders.

Shifting Gears Program in action before bikes were stolen

In the immediate aftermath, the response from our community was powerful. Supporters, partners, elected officials, and neighbors rallied behind Shifting Gears, helping us raise almost $20,000 to get the program back on track. That outpouring of generosity was a clear reminder: this work matters, and Atlanta is invested in its future cyclists.

We are excited to share that Shifting Gears officially restarted in May at the Grove Park Recreation Center.

With critical support from Free Bikes 4 Kidz, who generously loaned Propel ATL 15 bikes, we were able to bring the program back to life just in time to close out the school year. This partnership ensured that students didn’t miss the opportunity to learn essential biking skills in a safe, structured environment.

Bikes generously loaned from Free Bikes 4 Kids

At Grove Park, students jumped right back into learning—building confidence, practicing bike handling, and gaining the knowledge they need to ride safely in their neighborhoods. For many participants, these sessions are about more than riding a bike; they are about freedom, self-reliance, and seeing their community in a new way.

Behind the scenes, we’ve also been focused on rebuilding with added resilience. Our program trailer has been repaired, and we’re enhancing our existing security approach. We’re taking this moment not just to replace what was lost, but to improve how we store and transport bikes for the long term.

Later this summer, we plan to purchase new bikes. Before that, we’re prioritizing a thoughtful build-out of the trailer interior to ensure bikes and equipment are organized, secure, and ready to support program growth.

And this is where our community comes in—again.

We’re looking for two volunteer leads with construction, design, or maker skills to help us reimagine and design the inside of our trailer—and guide the build-out alongside a team of volunteers. This is a chance to put your skills to work in a hands-on, meaningful way—creating the mobile hub that will carry Shifting Gears into its next chapter.

If you’ve ever wanted to build something that directly supports Atlanta’s young riders, this is it!

We are incredibly grateful to Atlanta City Council, Free Bikes 4 Kidz, and every supporter who helped us move forward after the theft. Because of you, the program didn’t just recover—it kept rolling.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to rebuilding and strengthening Shifting Gears so we can continue reaching more young riders across Atlanta, equipping them with lifelong cycling skills and expanding access to safe, active transportation.