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Partner Highlight: White Oak Bicycle Co-op
June 04, 2026—Students at North Hamilton Elementary recently got a new way to stay active outside thanks to a bicycle donation from White Oak Bicycle Co-op. While it wasn’t the co-op’s first time bringing bikes to one of Hamilton County schools, it didn’t diminish their presentation of it at all. They came in just as excited to hand out the bikes as the children were to receive them.
For some children, it was the first bike they had ever been able to ride. Thankfully, each bike also came with a donated helmet to help keep students safe while they enjoyed their new wheels.
“Indeed, it is a thrill to be able to share this experience with the children, faculty, and staff. For many of the kids, it is their first two-wheel experience. The smiles and excitement never get old,” said Blake Pierce, Executive Director of White Oak Bicycle Co-op.
What the students didn’t see was the amount of work that happened behind the scenes to make the bikes a reality. From collecting and repairing bikes to organizing donations, it took a lot of work to bring these bikes to the school and the community.
White Oak Bicycle Co-op, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit organization, works to make cycling accessible to everyone. Through community donations and volunteer support, the organization collects used bicycles, repairs them, and places them back into the hands of children and families who need them most. They also focus on improving alternative transportation and teaching children throughout the community about bicycle safety.
Since August 2020, White Oak Bicycle Co-op has distributed more than 3,500 bicycles across the community, helping provide transportation, recreation, and opportunities for children and families throughout Hamilton County.
The partnership between White Oak Bicycle Co-op and Hamilton County Schools has created not only amazing experiences for students but also learning opportunities for teaching kids about bicycle safety. They have sent bikes to several schools, including Orchard Knob Elementary, Calvin Donaldson Elementary, Soddy Elementary, North Hamilton Elementary, Red Bank Elementary, and Red Bank High School.
Their partnerships with the schools go beyond providing the bikes. White Oak Bicycle Co-op also supports schools with helmets, bicycle safety curriculum, and bike fleets that allow students to learn, build skills, and practice safe riding habits.
In one case at an HCS elementary school, a student was transitioning back into the classroom from an alternative placement. The White Oak Bicycle Co-op partnered with the school to build a stationary bike for the student, helping make his transition back to the school a little easier. By having the bike, he could continue using something that had helped him succeed and feel comfortable in his previous learning environment.
The organization continues to expand its impact through innovative bicycle education projects. White Oak Bicycle Co-op currently has a traffic garden installed at Calvin Donaldson Elementary and is actively planning another at Soddy Elementary. A traffic garden, sometimes called a bicycle playground or safety town, is a scaled-down, car-free street network designed for children and beginners to practice bicycling skills and roadway safety in a safe environment.
As the program continues to grow, White Oak Bicycle Co-op is seeking additional funding to help support and expand this important work, ensuring more students have access to bicycles, safety equipment, and educational opportunities.
We are so thankful for everything the volunteers at White Oak Bicycle Co-op put into each bike. Their commitment helps make a real difference for the students who receive them at their schools.
To learn more about White Oak Bicycle Co-op or to donate a bicycle.. Please visit https://www.whiteoakbicycle.org/donatebicycles
