Skills & Training
The 2025 program will be broken down into 3 parts. All participants start the program with in-depth bicycle repair training and job skills coaching, such as resume building, interviewing, networking, and more. Participants rebuild a used bicycle to commute on and keep after the program!
The second part of the program will be customized to match the interests of each participant. Participants will begin to gain experience working in different areas of the Reno Bike Project shop - with options to focus on gaining skills in marketing, customer service, management, or diving deeper into bicycle mechanics.
Finally, participants will complete a 5-week externship with a partnering organization, with options including bike shops, skilled trades, and more. Upon graduation, it is our goal to have produced highly desirable employees with relationships and references from RBP and the partnering organizations.
How to Join
This 15-week paid internship is open to 13 participants, aged 16-24, who think bikes can change lives, are interested in teaching, aren’t afraid to get dirty, are excited about a challenge, and are curious and eager to learn.
If you are interested in applying for the program, please fill out the online application here. Our program staff are reviewing applications on a rolling basis beginning January 2025 and will reach out to you following your application submission.
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions!
Life After FutureCycle
We began with one pilot participant in Spring 2016. Since then, we have engaged 20 youth as Mechanics-In-Training and maintained 80% program completion with 65% earning continuing job offers. One FutureCycle alumnus currently works for RBP, and one has been promoted to manager at the shop where they spent their 5-week externship.
Meet the Interns
Monica
Monica doesn’t know how to ride a bike. When she was young her dad tried teaching her… she face planted on the concrete. Since then she never got the opportunity to actually learn.
However, she is in the process of learning how to ride one! Monica became interested in the FutureCycle internship because of her new and recent interest in mechanics. Before this year, she had zero interest in mechanics and also had little to no knowledge about tools. This internship has taught her a lot and has set her up well to pursue a career in mechanics, whether it be in automotive, diesel, or aviation!
Jayden
When Covid struck, Jayden found himself stuck at home being driven crazy by his 5 siblings. He turned to YouTube, and he found a certain YouTube channel, "Seth Bike Hacks," that inspired him to get outside and ride his bike. He also found a love for skiing, and with his dad by his side he went on many adventures both on the slopes and the trails. They have now explored Utah, California, Arizona and many other places. His recent knowledge of bike mechanics has given him something to do when the weather does not permit skiing or biking.
Jesse
Jesse began his bike journey early in his life with his dad showing him the ropes. He loved to ride to and from school, during the summer, and with his friends for hours. He re-awakened his passion of biking by starting an internship at the Reno Bike Project. Besides biking, he loves listening to metal music and playing video games anytime he has the chance. Jesse’s least favorite tool by far is the bearing cup spanner, while his favorite part of working at the Reno Bike Project is stripping down any old, crusty bikes that come his way.
Bryan
For the past few years, Bryan has loved to cruise around Reno on his bike, taking in the scenery. After getting the opportunity to dive into bicycle repair with the FutureCycle Program, Bryan has enjoyed getting his hands dirty and learning what it is all about. Although he lived in Las Vegas until he was 7, Bryan moved to Reno and has never looked back. Bryan likes to watch science fiction movies, learn about Japanese mythology, and watch anime. He is a senior in high school, and is excited to graduate in the spring and start a welding course at TMCC. Bryan also used to have a cat named Reno Lee when he was younger, and he used to work at an auto shop.
Jack
When Jack was young, he found out that he loved anything on wheels. Jack learned how to bike, dirt bike, roller skate, skateboard, scooter and after a lot of practice, unicycle. Mountain biking was his favorite. Jack and his friends began to build trails, go to bike parks, and progress in the sport. Jack's favorite place to ride is Truckee Bike Park because of the well built dirt jumps and wooden features. Besides biking, Jack enjoys a variety of activities, such as skiing, cliff jumping, camping, tennis, and basketball. He loves to stay active and have fun with his family and friends. During his junior year at Spanish Springs High School, Jack joined the Reno Bike Project FutureCycle internship to learn more about bicycle mechanics and other important job skills that will help him to advance his career.
