Planet Bike’s involvement with the Youth Bike Summit (YBS) began in March 2010 when Kim White and Kristi Nanco, interns from Recycle-A-Bicycle in NYC, attended the National Bike Summit to learn more about bicycle policy and advocacy. While there, they sat in on Planet Bike’s panel entitled “Broadening the Movement” which addressed ways to broaden and diversify the bicycle movement.

Kim and Kristi left the National Bike Summit inspired to create a diverse gathering of young leaders who shared their belief that the bicycle is a tool that can transform local communities. In just a few short months, they organize the first Youth Bike Summit in January 2011 in NYC, attracting over 200 people from fourteen states. Since then, the YBS continues to build momentum, engaging youth leaders to transform communities.

The YBS is a supportive, inclusive space that welcomes diverse perspectives on advocacy, social justice, job training, transportation policy, climate change, and community resilience – all using bicycling as a catalyst for community health.

After an annual run from 2011-2020 and a brief hiatus, the Summit returned triumphantly in 2024 with over 200 participants from twenty-six organizations. The three-day event featured 32 workshops to foster civic engagement and empower the next generation of cyclists and advocates.

The 2025 Youth Bike Summit returns this year from May 30^th to June 1^st in Boston, MA. Youth aged 8-24 are encouraged to attend. Travel and housing options are available in the registration information below or by contacting event@youthbikesummit.org.

For this year’s Summit, organizers are looking for creative workshop ideas focused on Leadership, Bike Repairs, Health, Art, Barries to Biking, and Youth Development. Submit your proposals by March 1 here: Workshops – Youth Bike Summit

The Youth Bike Summit is creating a brighter future by elevating voices that often go unheard. Planet Bike proudly supports YBS through annual 1% for the Planet advocacy giving, believing that when “youth ride bikes, our communities are healthier, more sustainable and socially advanced.”