The Cycle Effect Receives a Matching Grant from The Outride Fund

Eagle County, CO — Nov 30, 2021 — The Cycle Effect, a Colorado-based organization empowering young women through mountain biking, has been awarded a competitive national grant from The Outride Fund. The Cycle Effect is one of only two Colorado nonprofits to receive the maximum $15,000 grant amount.

With steady growth over recent years including expansion into new counties, The Cycle Effect is thrilled to be garnering attention and support for its work to diversify cycling. The alignment between The Cycle Effect program and the mission of The Outride Fund is an ideal scenario for funders and grantees. Outride Bikes, the parent organization for The Outride Fund, is harnessing the power of cycling to improve children’s lives and breaking down barriers so all kids have access to biking.

“Bicycles have the power to make lives better beyond winning races — they bring people and communities together, motivate us to become better humans, and help us take advantage of what the world has to offer. At Outride, we are committed to breaking down barriers so that all kids have access to bicycles and safe places to ride. We believe that bicycles not only have the ability to improve the health of our youth, but also bring the power of opportunity, agency, and freedom to those who have access to the power of two wheels.” - Outride Mission (source: outridebike.org/mission)

Breaking down barriers for young women to access mountain biking is at the core of The Cycle Effect’s work. The Cycle Effect aims to serve 70% of athletes that identify as Latinx, with a focus on those earning below the self-sufficiency wage for that county or applicants with other risk factors. The power of the program transcends the bike. Through the ripple effect of its program, The Cycle Effect has seen the profound impact on building community and creating brighter futures for the athletes. The team at The Cycle Effect is thrilled to have the support of the Outride Fund and to be represented among other cycling nonprofit organizations on the grantee list.

“It’s truly exciting to see the movement towards more diversity and equity in cycling that the Outride Fund is supporting. We are humbled to be one of the grantees and are thankful for program funding. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for our cycling communities with the impact of change-makers like the Outride Fund, and all of the programs they support. Let’s get more kids on bikes, in every community across the country!”

- Sophia Gianfrancisco, Grants Manager at The Cycle Effect.

Launched in 2019, The Outride Fund partners with grassroots organizations to provide the tools and platforms needed to fundraise and accelerate projects that generate increased access and diversity within local cycling communities. To further grow and diversify youth cycling, The Outride Fund is driving efforts to support organizations within BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and low social-economic status communities.

“We know that cycling provides physical, mental, and emotional health to youth and bicycles also bring joy, freedom, and agency. We are committed to increasing access to bicycles, programs, and safe places to ride for youth from marginalized, BIPOC, and underrepresented communities. We strive for Outride Fund grants to play a role in cultivating thriving and inclusive cycling communities.” - Andy Cunningham, Ph.D., Outride Fund Program Manager.

Want to join the movement? Now through the end of the year your donation to The Cycle Effect will be matched dollar-for-dollar from the Outride Fund up to $15,000. Learn more and double your impact by donating at cycleeffect.org.

About Outride

Founded in 2014, Outride is a non-profit organization that partners with schools, community partners, coaches, teams, and cyclists to advance more equitable, inclusive, and healthy futures for youth. Through research, school-based cycling programs, and matching community grants, Outride harnesses the benefits of cycling for the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical well-being of youth while also helping to cultivate inclusive cycling communities. Outride’s mission is to increase access to cycling so that every kid can experience the freedom, joy, and community that riding a bike can provide. Learn more at outridebike.org