Avanti Bikes! Internships
Avanti Bikes! Internships
Empowering Avanti High School students through an interdisciplinary bicycle education program, fostering lifelong physical activity, environmental awareness, and community engagement.
Our mission is to instill safe biking habits, offer hands-on bike shop experiences, and promote mobility justice, aligning with Avanti's commitment to equity, collaboration, and student-centered learning.
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About Avanti Bikes! Class (PE)
Avanti Bikes! at Avanti High School, in collaboration with Intercity Transit's Walk-N-Roll program, physical education is revolutionized through an innovative spring initiative. Students earn-a-bike while mastering essential pedestrian and bicycle safety skills, breaking away from traditional PE norms.This groundbreaking program goes beyond the classroom, offering hands-on maintenance, on-road experiences, and advanced certifications such as the League of American Bicyclists' SMART CYCLE and potential League Cycling Instructor qualifications. Avanti Bikes! is not just about riding; it's a comprehensive educational experience integrating bicycle education and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Looking ahead, the program aims to launch a bike shop that serves other OSD schools and opens its doors to the Olympia community during Exhibition Nights. This shop becomes a hub for bike festivals, repairs, and community engagement, offering internship opportunities through Walk-N-Roll.
Community involvement is critical, with free bike classes at the Avanti Bikes! Shop, elementary school mentorship programs, and active community event participation.
Avanti Bikes! is more than a class; it's a transformative journey, aligning with Avanti High School's dedication to arts, equity, and student-led learning.
Class offered Fall and Spring Quarters (Sessions #1 & #4)
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The Avanti Bikes! Internship is a unique, on‑campus, career‑connected learning experience where students earn 3rd Year Math Credit while exploring bicycle mechanics through the lens of the Modeling Our World With Mathematics (MOWWM) curriculum.
Link to Draft of Standards Crosswalk
Rooted in educational equity, mastery‑based learning, culturally responsive‑sustaining education, and anti‑racist mobility justice, this internship gives students the opportunity to learn, lead, and serve — all during the school day.
Interns work in our fully equipped Avanti Bikes! Shop, where they complete real tune‑ups, full bike overhauls, safety checks, and repairs for students, staff, and community partners. Under the mentorship of our industry partners, students gain confidence using tools, diagnosing mechanical issues, and solving real problems with precision and care.
A core part of the internship is built‑in service learning. Students earn required service hours by supporting Walk‑N‑Roll events, running bike valet stations, teaching younger students at local bike rodeos, refurbishing bikes for community programs, and contributing to mobility justice initiatives across Olympia. These experiences help students build communication skills, teamwork, and a sense of civic responsibility.
Throughout the internship, students apply mathematical concepts from the MOWWM curriculum directly to their mechanic work. They use linear models to predict repair times, geometry to understand frame sizing and torque angles, statistics to analyze shop workflow, trigonometry to true wheels and adjust cables, and exponential functions to model battery health. This integration transforms math into a hands‑on, career‑connected tool for problem‑solving.
Interns also explore career pathways in the cycling and outdoor industries through guest speakers, industry visits, and resume, cover letter, and interview preparation. Many students go on to apply for competitive positions with partners like Walk‑N‑Roll and Big Stump Bikes, with several Avanti alumni now working in the field.
The Avanti Bikes! Internship is more than a class — it’s a pathway to independence, leadership, and community connection. Students leave with practical skills, professional experience, and the confidence to navigate and shape the world around them.
Class offered Winter Quarters (Sessions #2 & #3).
Click here to read the Avanti Bikes! and Big Stump Bicycle Student Internship Agreement
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Avanti Bikes! in OSD Spotlight March 2026
Students in the Avanti Bikes Program are putting their skills into action, both in and out of the classroom!
Recently, Avanti students helped service bikes for a local elementary school participating in the Walk-N-Roll “learn to ride” program.
Through this hands-on program, students gain valuable, real-world skills like fixing flat tires, properly fitting helmets and understanding essential road safety practices. All while experiencing the joy and freedom of cycling!
Check out this OSD Spotlight - March 2026
Avanti Bikes! in OSD Spotlight Oct 2024
See how Avanti High School’s Avanti Bikes! program gives students an exciting, hands-on way to learn. You’ll discover how they master essential bike maintenance skills, like fixing flat tires and fitting helmets, while also gaining the confidence to navigate traffic safely. This innovative program fosters a love for cycling and teaches valuable life skills you can carry with you long after your school years.
Check out this OSD Spotlight - October 2024.
Avanti Bikes! in WTA Magazine
Following our Spring 2024 Bike Packing trip to Lake Wynoochee, our partner, Washington Trails Association, wrote a fantastic article sharing students' learning experiences from an overnight bike packing trip.
Avanti Bikes! showcased in Thurston Talk
We had the pleasure to collaborate with the Hope Bike Shop at Reeves Middle School and the co-creators of Avanti Bikes!, Intercity Transit's Walk-N-Roll program on this fantastic article produced by Thurston Talk.
Avanti Bikes! loves Walk-n-Roll. Read all about it!
Avanti Bikes! in OSD Spotlight May 2022
Check Avanti Bikes! roots in the Olympia School District's Spotlight from May 2022. Our growth has only taken place with the support and guidance from our partners Walk-N-Roll.
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An evolution of equity, mastery, mobility justice, and youth leadership
2026 — Career-Connected Learning & Youth Leadership
Spring 2026
Students apply for Big Stump Bikes Shop InternshipAvanti prepares students with:
- Resume writing
- Cover letters
- Interview practice
Theme of the Spring 2026 Class: Bicycling as a Form of Protest
Continued Mobility Justice curriculum with Walk-N-Roll
Students meet with industry leaders (Big Stump Bikes, BCC organizers)
Avanti Bikes! presented at MBLC Spring Conference with Natalie B.
2025/2026 School Year — Mobility Justice, Community Service, and Career Pathways
On-Campus Internship (Nov 2025–Apr 2026)
12 Avanti students participated in a structured on-campus internship focused on comprehensive bike maintenance and repair skills.Students learned through repeated practice to master key tasks including bike check-overs, fixing flats, wheel truing, brake maintenance, drivetrain care, and test rides.
The internship emphasized mastery through demonstration and hands-on learning.
Students prepared six bicycles during class time as part of their hands-on experience.
In April 2026, these bicycles were donated to six fellow students at the school, completing the internship cycle.
Fall 2025
Guest speaker: Daniel Garcia (HEAL Olympia Project)Students learn about housing, equity, accessibility, livability
Participate in Week Without Driving Walk Audit
Infrastructure audits during neighborhood rides
First rainy ride to Squaxin Park with regional planner Paul Brewster
Alumni success: Natalie B. hired by Walk-N-Roll
Summer 2025
Walk-N-Roll’s LGBTQ+ & Allies Bike Safety Program hosted at AvantiStudents receive bikes, helmets, locks, lights
Walk-N-Roll Summer Internships offered to Avanti students
Spring 2025
Earth Day Market Bike ValetMobility Justice Seminars (race, gender, disability, class)
Students deliver Bike Month signage to City Hall
Madison Elementary Mini Bike Fest (student-led teaching)
Kennedy Creek ride
3-day Dungeness Spit Bikepacking Trip
Mechanical challenges solved by students
Strong community-building moments
Students express deep personal growth
2024 — Deepening Leadership, Mechanics, and Community Impact
Winter 2024–2025
First Avanti Bikes! Internship ProgramService Team: 8–10 tune-ups for staff + community
Overhaul Team: full rebuilds of Avanti fleet bikes
Students gain advanced mechanical skills and confidence
Internship website launched
Fall 2024
Avanti moves into its own dedicated bike shop spaceIntro to Bikes! Course launches with certification system:
ABC Quick Check
Helmet Fit
12 Fix-a-Flats
Brake + Gear Adjustments
Avanti Bikes! Open House draws ~50 attendees
Students run all demo stations
OSD Communications begins spotlight story
Zine-making partnership begins with Timberland Regional Library Zine, completed and distributed
Guest speaker: Professional cyclist Emi Ehrlich
Spring 2024
WTA publishes article highlighting Avanti Bikes!Students complete 20-mile Wynoochee Lake bikepacking trip
Students lead group discussions, problem-solving, and environmental reflection
2023 — Expansion into Expeditionary Learning
Spring 2023
Students’ artwork selected for citywide speed safety signsStudents plan first-ever overnight bikepacking trip
Partnerships expand:
WTA Gear Library
Thurston County Medics (CPR training)
Students lead:
- Gear lists
- Meal planning
- First aid prep
- Route research
- Emergency repair practice
Practice Ride: Rock Candy B-Line Trail
Overnight Trip: Olympic Bridges Route (40-mile gravel loop)
Students demonstrate resilience, leadership, and teamwork
2022 — First Year of Implementation
Spring 2022
First Avanti Bikes! class launchesBikes stored on 3rd floor; elevator used daily
Students walk 2 days/week, bike 3 days/week
Drills held in local church parking lot
Partnership deepens with Walk-N-Roll (Intercity Transit)
Students learn:
- Road rules
- Helmet fit
- Basic maintenance
- Group riding
Students practice loading bikes onto bus racks
First on-road rides through downtown Olympia
Students express strong enthusiasm and confidence gains
2021 — Program Conception & Proposal
Fall 2021
Gym and weight room closed due to construction → need for alternative PE programmingNo school bus system → need for safe commuting options
Drafts proposal for Safe Routes to School Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Education
Inspiration from Lisa Summers (BHHS)
Vision established:
- Transportation equity
- Lifelong physical activity
- Mechanics + safety education
- Community partnerships
- Career pathways
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Community Partners
Mastery-Based Learning Cooperative
Community Resources
WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training
For the last three years, WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) program has supported Avanti Bikes! Program with the necessary leadership skills and outdoor gear for their outings. With the collaboration of the South Puget Sound gear library in Puyallup and teacher Nikki Winkley, the Avanti Bikes! Program has found great success in teaching high school students all aspects of biking and bike-packing.
The Outdoor Leadership Training Program provides educators and community organizers with the leadership skills and resources to lead safe and fun outdoor outings. Of those resources we provide experiential workshops in camping, hiking, backpacking and snowshoeing, access to a free gear lending library and funding assistance. The program hopes to inspire leaders to take their youth and groups outside through safe and fun experiences.
