By Ben Wyse Bikes for Neighbors Coordinator, Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
In the fall of 1993, I was introduced to rock climbing. I was instantly hooked, and I’ve been a climber ever since.
Climbing has enriched my life in countless ways. It’s given me joy, challenge, and a community of friends I never would have met otherwise. The crag has been a place of connection, growth, and deep satisfaction for me.
But as much as I love climbing, I don’t believe it’s going to change the world.
Bikes, however, might.
A bike can be every bit as playful and joyful as climbing. Riding mountain trails or rolling along beautiful back roads can feel magical. There’s freedom, flow, and a sense of being fully alive that’s hard to match.
But unlike climbing, a bike is also practical. It’s a simple, fun way to get to work, to the store, to school, or to a friend’s house.
It’s joy and transportation wrapped into the same package.
Over the past year, my son Desmond has been on a mission to perfect his wheelie. Somewhere along the way, he pulled me into the challenge too. Months of practice were frustrating—especially for me—but then something clicked for him. He nailed it.
I’m a much slower student, but I’ve finally started to dial mine in as well. And I’ll say this: it’s completely addictive. The first time I rode a wheelie for the length of a city block, I felt on top of the world. I was hooked.
Here’s the part that still amazes me: the same bike I use to practice wheelies is also my everyday commuting bike. I ride it to work, to get groceries, and to visit friends.
That combination—play and practicality in the same tool—is powerful.
Communities all over the world show us that when more people walk and bike, those places become healthier, happier, and more connected. I promote biking because it’s good for our community, good for my own body and spirit, and good for the planet.
But if I’m being honest, it also comes down to one simple thing:
Biking is fun.
Climbing will always have a place in my life. It’s like board games, basketball, or golf—captivating, engaging, and life-giving in its own way.
Bikes do all of that and more.
That’s why I ride bikes with my son. And that’s why, as the Bikes for Neighbors coordinator with the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, I spend my days working to get reliable bikes into the hands of neighbors who need daily transportation.
A dependable bike can mean the difference between making it to work or missing a shift. Between getting to school or falling behind. Between accessing healthcare or going without.
A single reliable bike can provide months of access to work, school, medical appointments, and the places that matter most in someone’s life.
Help Put a Bike in a Neighbor’s Hands
If you believe that something as simple as a bike can change someone’s day—and maybe even their world—I invite you to help make that possible.
Your donation supports Bikes for Neighbors, providing refurbished bikes, safety gear, and ongoing support to people who rely on biking for everyday transportation. Every gift helps remove a barrier and open up opportunity.
→ Make a donation today and help a neighbor get where they need to go.
Thank you for being part of a community that believes in practical joy, shared movement, and the power of a bike.
