READ. ACHIEVE. RIDE.
Reading Program for Foster Children Who Earn Their Own Bikes
Turning pages into possibilities and reading goals into brand new bikes.
Books for Bikes encourages young readers to discover the joy of reading, reach a goal they can be proud of, and experience the freedom of a brand new bicycle.
Children complete a reading challenge, share what they learned, and when they reach their goal, they earn a new bike and helmet of their own.
Every book gets them closer to the finish line.
OUR MISSION
Building confident readers one book and one bike at a time.
Books for Bikes inspires young people to read more, build confidence, and experience the pride that comes from setting a goal and achieving it.
Participants are challenged to read a designated number of books and complete a short reflection on each one. When they complete the challenge, they earn a brand new bicycle and helmet.
Our initial focus is on children in FOSTER care in Essex County who may not otherwise have the opportunity to own a bicycle of their own.
THE JOURNEY
READ
Discover new stories. Young readers take on a reading challenge that encourages curiosity, learning, and a love of books.
ACHIEVE
Reach a goal worth celebrating. Each book brings young readers closer to completing their challenge while building confidence, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment.
RIDE
Celebrate the achievement. Reaching the goal leads to an exciting reward a brand new bicycle and helmet and the pride of knowing they earned it.
OUR IMPACT
More Than a Bike!
A new bicycle is exciting. But what happens before a child gets on that bike matters just as much.
Every Books for Bikes participant sets a goal, commits to reading, follows through, and experiences the pride of earning something special.
Along the way, they are building reading skills, confidence, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment.
The bike is the reward. The achievement belongs to the child.
Why Reading Matters
“Reading Scores for U.S. Pupils Measure Near a 25-Year Low in a Global Exam”
— The New York Times, September 2026
“Declining reading performance underscores the importance of finding meaningful ways to encourage young people to read, stay engaged, and experience the pride of reaching a goal.”
READ MORE • LEARN MORE • RIDE FORWARD • READ MORE • LEARN MORE • RIDE FORWARD • READ MORE • LEARN MORE • RIDE FORWARD •