Father Joe's cycling program puts riders on path out of homelessness
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The bike club for people experiencing homelessness has been running since 2015. Photo: Father Joe's Villages
Every Thursday morning about a dozen cyclists ride 20 miles through the city together in an effort to help bring some of them out of homelessness.
State of play: For 10 years, Father Joe's Villages has run a free cycling program in downtown San Diego that has empowered unhoused people to improve their physical and mental health, build camaraderie, explore the city and gain access to more job opportunities with free transportation.
The big picture: Organizations around California run exercise programs for unhoused individuals, who have a high risk of health problems and illnesses, CalMatters reports.
- Run clubs, biking groups and soccer games aren't directly getting people into housing, but can help boost their well-being as they navigate homelessness.
Zoom in: In San Diego, the riders meet at the Joan Kroc Center around 9am for breakfast, get a bike and a helmet and take off on a roughly 3-hour trek led by avid cyclist Deacon John Roberts and a few volunteers.
- Along the route, the participants learn about road safety, cycling etiquette, teamwork and bike paths that expose them to new parts of the city, including museums. Then they all have lunch together.
- Some participants live in the downtown shelter and others on the street, but the weekly ride gives each of them something to look forward to and accomplish.
How it works: In 2020, Roberts joined Father Joe's and added new incentives to the program he now runs.
- After 100 miles, riders earn their own new or gently used bike, helmet and lock.
- After 200 miles, they receive a one-month public transit pass they can use to commute around the county.
- "What I'm trying to do is reintegrate people into society and provide a welcoming place," Roberts said. "It opens the world to you."
The intrigue: They recently added three-wheel bikes to make it more accessible to people with different abilities and stamina.
- Those come with wheeled, detachable baskets that can be used to carry groceries or pets.
By the numbers: The program started with a donation of five bikes and saw about 40 participants in the first five years.
- That's grown to more than 270 riders who've earned nearly 80 bikes.
What they're saying: "It's allowing me to step up and be a little bit better than what I am now, to want to accomplish more in my life," Juan Benavidez told Axios.
- He's a few rides away from earning a bike, "and I'm not stopping," he said, adding that the exercise also helped him quit smoking and get in shape.
Between the lines: Father Joe's offers free bike repairs, and is working with Padyak racing team, ReBikeSD and the county bike coalition to host free maintenance workshops and safety classes for others in the homeless community.
What's next: Roberts is looking for more donated bikes and volunteers (on rides or to help fix bikes) that will allow them to expand the club and offer additional rides.
- As the health and wellness coordinator, he's also looking for ideas for new outdoor programs and activities like trail walks for the homeless community.