South San Francisco’s Bike Program Rolls On
Published on May 28, 2025
New Bikes for over 200 South San Francisco Students
Joy and excitement filled the campuses of five South San Francisco schools as over 200 students from the South San Francisco Unified School District pedaled away on brand-new bikes, thanks to the City’s award-winning Every Kid Deserves a Bike program.
Launched in May 2022 and championed by Mayor Eddie Flores, the program connects students from low-income families with safe, independent, and joyful outdoor experiences. Since its inception, the initiative has provided more than 1,400 students with a free bicycle, helmet, safety gear, and training—removing a key barrier to mobility and physical activity.
“This initiative is about far more than distributing bicycles—it’s a bold investment in the vitality, resilience, and future of our youth,” said South San Francisco Mayor Eddie Flores. “A bicycle is more than a mode of transportation; it’s a vehicle for freedom, self-confidence, and lifelong wellness. But the impact doesn’t stop with our youth. When we help young people get moving, we uplift entire families—easing transportation burdens, encouraging shared outdoor time, and fostering stronger bonds. And as more residents take to the streets on two wheels, we create a healthier, more connected South City—one where cleaner air, safer streets, and a vibrant sense of community become part of everyday life. This is how we build a city that moves forward together.”
This year, students from Title I schools, Los Cerritos Elementary, Martin Elementary, Parkway Heights Middle School, Spruce Elementary, and Sunshine Gardens Elementary were selected to receive bikes—thanks in part to a $200,000 earmark from the State of California, led by CA Assemblymember Diane Papan (AD-21).
Each student received:
- A brand-new bicycle adjusted to each child’s height
- A helmet properly adjusted to each child’s head
- On-site bike registration
- Road safety training
- Bike maintenance checks
- A gear kit including a bike lock, pump, lights, art supplies, and more
- Learn to Ride classes (for those children who did not already know how to ride bicycles).
The Every Kid Deserves a Bike program was originally inspired by the early days of the pandemic, when outdoor recreation became a safe and essential outlet for kids. “What began as a way to get kids outdoors during the pandemic has grown into something much greater,” said Mayor Flores. “Now it’s about equity, health, safety, and joy. It’s about helping our kids safely get to school, to the park, and to just be kids.”
Now in its fourth year, the program continues to be powered by dedicated city staff, volunteers, and generous community partners, including South San Francisco CERT volunteers, South San Francisco Police Department, San Mateo County’s Safe Routes to School, Local Motion BikeMobile, Straight Wheel Cycling, Safe Moves, Expertise Office Installation Repair and Moving Service, Peninsula Battery Inc., Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange, and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. It was recognized as the 2022 Program of the Year by the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, and continues to serve as a model for community-driven impact.
About the City of South San Francisco
The City of South San Francisco proudly remains The Industrial City, a reflection of its steel mill and ship building past, redefined to reflect the innovative, entrepreneurial, and industrious spirit which has made South San Francisco the Biotech Capital of the World, with 217 active biotech companies and growing. A vibrant community of 66,185 residents, South San Francisco enjoys a high quality of life with an extensive public parks system, active library and learning programming and a dynamic, engaged community making South San Francisco a great place to live, learn, work, and play.