Every Thursday morning in downtown San Diego, Deacon John Roberts leads a cycling club through Father Joe’s Villages, a homeless shelter and nonprofit.

The program has been operational for the last 10 years, and Roberts credits it with helping unhoused community members improve their mental and physical health — while gaining crucial independence.

Once a week, riders embark on a 20-mile ride through San Diego. Participants don’t need a bike of their own, as cycles are donated through the nonprofit. When a rider completes their first 100 miles, they are gifted a new or gently used bike to keep.

If they continue to ride for 100 more miles, they get a one-month transit pass. 

“With a bicycle and a transit pass one has all of San Diego County to explore,” Roberts told Good Good Good.

“For some, it allows them a wider job search area. For others, it allows them to explore all that San Diego has to offer, but for all it broadens their horizons and produces a boost in the health of mind, body, and spirit — and a new mobility.”

Since 2015, Roberts has led an estimated 250 individuals on rides. From 2015 to 2020, however, only about 40 participated, and they did not keep mileage records.

In 2020, Roberts began the ‘earn-a-bike’ incentive, and interest increased exponentially.

In the last five years, 220 individuals have ridden a combined total of 21,600 miles, Roberts added. And 76 of those participants have been awarded bicycles.

“When participants complete 100 miles with us, they are awarded their bike, a helmet, a lock, lights, and a saddlebag with some maintenance items,” he said.

Many have gone on to use the bike as a vital transportation resource — even if they were novices.

“One time after we had ridden a couple of miles through the city, a lady almost careened into a pole. When I asked what happened, she said she didn't know how much she could turn the bike without falling over,” Roberts said. 

“After a little more inquiry, I learned that she had never ridden a bicycle before. She loved riding! She went on to earn her bike in short order, got a job, and moved on.”   

Roberts said confidence is often the hardest resource for the participants to find. 

“Many people are excited by the prospect of going for a bike ride, and even more so by the possibility of earning their bike,” Roberts said, “but they are not confident in their ability to complete a 20-mile ride.”

As is usually the case, however, he said folks are often elated to have completed the challenge when the ride is over.

“For most, their enthusiasm only grows with increased participation,” Roberts added. “For those who don't continue, it is more likely a change of circumstance that prevents them from continuing than a lack of desire.”

In addition to the cycling itself, folks in the program also learn about bicycle safety and how to maintain their bikes. 

Through partnerships with the San Diego County Bike Coalition and Rebike San Diego, the group offers free bicycle maintenance workshops and some small repairs. The group has also partnered with the Paydak Racing Team to encourage participation in the sport of cycling overall.

“Together we encourage the development of all riders and especially the young and underserved populations,” Roberts said. “They support our operation by providing volunteers to lead rides, repair bikes, and provide cycling safety and maintenance classes.”

After a decade of this work, one thing is clear: The community is what propels Roberts — and his unhoused riding club — forward.

“Every day we ride is a good and joyful day,” he said, “and makes for a good memory.”

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Header image courtesy of Rebike San Diego