MANCHESTER, NH – This month, 157 fourth-grade students at Beech Street and Gossler Park Elementary Schools received either a refurbished bicycle package or sports equipment through Queen City Bicycle Collective’s Earn-a-Bike/Be Active Program, just in time for summer.
Launched in 2016 as a partnership between the Manchester Health Department’s Community Schools Initiative and Queen City Bicycle Collective, the program promotes leadership, responsibility, and healthy activity among Manchester students. Students who complete their school’s leadership curriculum earn a reward package: either a fully refurbished bicycle with a helmet, lights, and lock, or a Be Active sports package.
This year’s Be Active packages include a basketball, football, soccer ball, volleyball, or a tennis set that includes lessons through Manchester Parks & Recreation’s Tennis in the Parks program. Since the program began, more than 1,200 students have participated, with roughly 150 students taking part each year.
“At Elliot Health System, we are proud to support the Earn-a-Bike program because it reflects our commitment to building a healthier Manchester, starting with our children,” said Anne-Marie Hafeman, Director of Community Engagement at Elliot Health System, the program’s longest-standing supporter and this year’s Be Active Program Sponsor. “By encouraging active lifestyles and recognizing leadership, this program empowers students while strengthening our community in meaningful, lasting ways. We are honored to celebrate the hard work and achievements of students in Manchester’s Community Schools as they reach this important milestone.”
Beyond the individual rewards, the program builds lasting community connections. Teachers, administrators, and partners regularly report increased student motivation, confidence, and school engagement. Each refurbished bicycle also extends the life of a valuable resource, promotes environmental sustainability, and often serves as a student’s first reliable form of independent transportation.
The program is powered by dedicated QC Bike volunteers and community partners who repair bicycles, assemble gear bags, and help distribute awards, bringing together community members, educators, and families to celebrate student achievement. Every student receiving a bicycle also receives a bike safety lesson from trained volunteer instructors.
Southern New Hampshire University is once again supporting the program as this year’s Alternative Package Sponsor.
“This program provides access to education and community wellbeing, two focus areas of SNHU’s local community-based partnerships,” said Steve Thiel, Assistant Vice President of Community Impact at Southern New Hampshire University. “By recognizing the hard work of Manchester’s youth, we’re investing in the future of our community.”
Community Bank is also supporting this year’s program by helping provide locks and safety equipment for participating students.
“The Earn-a-Bike program is a great example of how community partnerships can open doors for young people,” said Al Romero, Community Bank New Hampshire Regional Group Manager. “Supporting these students with safe, secure bike equipment helps encourage both responsibility and opportunity. Community Bank is proud to support QC Bike’s efforts to make a lasting difference for local kids.”
Trek Bicycle Hooksett and Goodale’s Bike Shop Nashua provide essential support for the Earn-a-Bike program by donating hundreds of children’s bicycles each year through Trek’s Kids’ Bike Trade-Up Program. These donations create much of the inventory QC Bike relies on to refurbish safe, high-quality bicycles for participating students.
“This program means a lot to the schools, the students, and our Collective,” said Tyler Glodt, Executive Director of Queen City Bicycle Collective. “We are grateful to all of our volunteers and supporters who help keep this dream going, year after year.”
Queen City Bicycle Collective gratefully acknowledges this year’s supporters, including Elliot Health System, Southern New Hampshire University, Community Bank, Trek Bicycle Hooksett, Needham Bank, Eversource, Queen City Rotary, Manchester Rotary, Manchester Kiwanis, and Walmart.
For more information or to support this program or others offered by Queen City Bicycle Collective, visit www.qcbike.org.