The single most important factor affecting social mobility in the United States today is physical mobility, i.e. a person’s ability to get from one location to another. In Northeast Ohio, we have designed a transportation system around and for automobile travel, and we have failed to provide options for people who cannot or do not want to rely on personal cars. Accordingly, many people in this region struggle to get around, whether to jobs, school, or recreational destinations, significantly limiting their personal freedom and ability to improve their lives and those of their families.

This particularly holds true for the 1,000 refugees moving into the region each year. Refugees can provide new life and serve as an economic driver for our region, but only if they are able to access opportunities. Most new refugees lack access to a car, and many struggle to get around on a public transportation system that continues to cut service and raise fares.

The Cleveland Refugee Bike Project will provide 50-100 of these refugees with a bike – an economic lifeline that can connect them to new employment, educational, and social opportunities in Northeast Ohio. By giving the participants the training and tools they need to learn how to bike safely around the region, the program will help them to build a new life in Cleveland and guarantee that the city benefits from all the assets they bring to the table.