The Landing Place Bike Program

The Landing Place’s bike program grew out of both a need and an opportunity. A few years ago, local law enforcement was calling us regularly: bikes were being stolen around town, and many young people we worked with didn’t have a reliable way to get around. The question became: if youth have access to bikes, could that reduce theft around town while also increasing youth independence?

We started adding bikes to our community wishlist, and donations began pouring in. However, many of them were “fixer-uppers”, and soon our storage filled with bikes that were tough to repair.

Serendipitously, Shawn McCarty, an engineer and lifelong cyclist, happened to meet Jack Carpenter, one of the concept founders of TLP, while noticing a TLP logo on Jack’s shirt. A conversation between Jack and Shawn led to connection, and eventually to Shawn joining forces with Pete! For Shawn, bikes weren’t just a hobby. “Bikes saved my life,” said Shawn, noting that as a young person, bikes had been a source of freedom and self-sufficiency for him. With Shawn’s deep knowledge and passion combined with Pete’s drive to create opportunities for youth, the bike program transformed overnight.

Together, Pete and Shawn built a system that worked. They created a fleet of bikes youth could borrow through a sign-out contract, teaching accountability and care for shared resources. Bikes stopped disappearing, and youth began building pride in maintaining them. The program prioritizes those who are in need of transportation support most, helping youth get to school, jobs, and community activities.

Today, The Landing Place has two bike fleets: one set of bikes for on-site field trips and another for youth to sign out and use more independently. If a bike breaks, it isn’t the end of the road; the young person brings it back, and Shawn or Pete will help them repair it together. The result is more than just a bike program: it’s freedom, connection, and a way forward.

Do you have a bike in good condition you’re no longer using? We would love to add it to the TLP fleet! Please reach out to donations@homeworthy.org if you can help.