In 2016 Andrew Killen, a teacher at KC East High School, wanted to spread bike joy among his students. Mr. Killen partnered with BikeWalkKC and started planning… The kids got excited, and the first Bike Club class maxxed out at 35 students! Bike Club provides skills and equipment for students to use bikes as their […]
Tag Archives: advocacy
Confusing E-bike legislation doesn’t make anyone safer
By Rayan Makarem, BikeWalkKC Director of Policy and Advocacy This past weekend, driving back home through Johnson County, I encountered multiple instances of kids riding electric cycles through the streets, sharing lanes with cars, and in one unfortunate instance for my parents’ brain, performing a wheelie. The good news: all the kids were wearing helmets. […]
Happy Bike Month 🚲 May 2026 Newsletter (1 of 2)
Have you met our friend Mark? Mark Green has been supporting BikeWalkKC for a long time. He’s an advocate, a volunteer, and a member! What brought you to BikeWalkKC? A friend of mine served on the board in the early days. I had just purchased a bike and started bike commuting. My current councilman [Eric […]
Are we reimagining Highway 71 for cars or for people?
By Avery Jones, BikeWalkKC Community Organizer Kansas City might see some very substantial changes to a highway that has shaped historically disconnected the East Side. On April 7 at 5:30 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, the Reconnecting the East Side team, led by KCMO Public Works, will present the final two options they […]
Tiptoe through the tulips 🌷 April 2026 newsletter
Touchdown! Shawn Barber donates 11 bikes As the Player Engagement Manager (and former linebacker) for our own Kansas City Chiefs, Shawn Barber knows a bit about tackling big challenges. Students in our Maintain Your Ride program won’t be using these bikes to sack the quarterback, but they will take on do-it-yourself bicycle maintenance skills and […]
A spring in our step 🌱 March 2026 newsletter
Your pre-loved gear consigned at Big Muddy has raised over $800 for bike helmets, neighborhood advocacy, and safety education! Two years ago, we opened a consignment account with Big Muddy Gear Exchange and invited BikeWalkKC supporters to sell their used tents, bikes, backpacks, and more to benefit BikeWalkKC programs. And what an incredible response! To […]
ADVOCACY ALERT: Speak Up for safer streets and public transit in the 2026-27 KCMO Budget!
Learn more about what’s in the proposed budget and make a plan to go to one of the three public meetings. Get ready for budget season, KCMO! Every February, the Office of Management and Budget releases a proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins May 1. Over the course of about a month, the […]
For the 💝 of safer streets – February 2026 newsletter
For the love of safer streets for his neighbors… thank you, Michael! Earlier this month Michael Kelley wrapped up a tremendous eight year run at BikeWalkKC, moving to a new opportunity locally at the DeBruce Foundation. Michael’s time with us included many significant wins and progress towards our goal of making Kansas City a place […]
BikeWalkKC celebrates former Policy Director Michael Kelley
By Eric Rogers, Co-Founder and Executive Director Earlier this month Michael Kelley wrapped up a tremendous eight year run at BikeWalkKC, moving to a new opportunity locally at the DeBruce Foundation. Michael’s time with us included many significant wins and progress towards our goal of making Kansas City a place where we are no longer […]
New beginnings for safer streets 🥳 January 2026 newsletter
East High School Bike Club student leader takes on the ultimate challenge Since 2016, students in our East High School Bike Club have been learning how to bike safely and navigate our city streets to ride to school, summer jobs, and to visit friends and family. But EHS Bike Club is bigger than “just bikes”! […]