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Project Bike Tech: Much more than Bike Mechanics

February 19th, 2020


Project Bike Tech (PBT) is a two-year program at Lyndon Institute (LI) where students earn industry certifications from companies such as Park Tool, Shimano, and Trek Travel. Whether graduates directly enter the workforce or continue on to college, they discover how core academic principles can be applied to real-world situations, how cycling can lead to a healthy and green lifestyle, and how they can professionally present themselves to prospective employers, regardless of where they pursue a career. Students in the program incorporate career-building skills and techniques as a component of their experience, and they leave the course knowing the basics of portfolio building, resume writing, and interview tactics.

The program provides students with a stepping stone to a variety of cycling industry careers, including but not limited to engineering, fabrication, marketing, graphic art, sales, writing for publication, trail building, fit specialist, and event management. Students enjoy a mix of both classroom and lab time that focuses on the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century cycling industry. LI’s PBT program coordinates with its title sponsors, Kingdom Trails and Village Sports Shop, to provide internships and work-based learning opportunities.

“PBT should be seen as a gateway to the larger outdoor recreation industry. As this industry continues to grow in the state of Vermont, LI students will be presented with multiple opportunities to earn a living in this exciting and rewarding field,” said Mike Lowe, who serves as both LI Project Bike Tech instructor and coach of the school’s mountain bike team.

PBT also sponsors LI’s Mountain Bike Club, whose goal is to create a team of mutually supportive riders who both educate and challenge one another as they engage in and learn about the sport of mountain biking. Students strive to help each team member develop their skills in ways that are supportive of their riding goals and interests. Team members from all grades and of all levels of ability are welcome, with inexperienced riders particularly encouraged to join. For those team members who wish to participate, the Lyndon Institute Mountain Biking Team competes in regional mountain biking races, participating in a variety of cross country races in the Northern New Hampshire Mountain Bike League. The program also welcomes riders from other high schools in the NEK to practice with the LI team and travel to races as logistics allow.

For more information about Project Bike Tech at LI or its mountain bike team, contact Mike Lowe at [email protected].

Photo caption:  Lyndon Institute’s Mountain Bike Team poses for a group photo at the Northern New Hampshire Mountain Bike League championship race in the fall of 2019. The team is made up of students from LI, St. Johnsbury Academy, and East Burke School.

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