Bike Club Tulsa Offers And After School Option For Kids

There's a club here in Tulsa that's giving kids something to do after school while also keeping them active.

Bike Club Tulsa is an innovative organization that's trying to make a difference for Tulsa kids.

"Our flagship program is our after-school clubs," explains Emily Adamic, a key member of the Bike Club Tulsa team. "In 37 different Tulsa public schools, we basically ride bikes with kids after school. We have volunteers who mentor the kids, teaching them valuable bike skills as well as important life skills."

Many of the children who participate in Bike Club Tulsa come from underserved areas of the city, where access to bicycles and safe places to ride can be limited. The club provides the necessary equipment - bikes and helmets - and helps the kids explore their own neighborhoods in a whole new way.

"We might visit places like QT for ice cream or the local fire station and we get them to explore their neighborhood through riding a bike. And we ride together," says Adamic.

For volunteers like Matt Smelser, who moved to Tulsa a year ago, getting involved with Bike Club Tulsa was a no-brainer.

"I enjoy riding bikes, and I can maybe pass that love of bicycles and riding bikes along to the kids," he explains. "It's a great place to just go hang out, ride bikes with kids, and be a good influence."

For those interested in getting involved, the process is simple. Tulsa Public School students can keep an ear out for announcements about the club starting up at their school and connect with the faculty sponsors. Community members can visit the Bike Club Tulsa website bikeclubtulsa.com to learn more about volunteering opportunities.