TFN’s Advocacy Spotlight Series, spearheaded by the network’s Mobility and Access Collaborative, lifts up the work of nonprofit grantees making an impact in their communities and beyond. We asked funders to nominate a stellar grantee to be featured in this series. We’ll share these Advocacy Spotlights TFN’s Blog and social media platforms as part of our commitment to amplifying community-led sustainability solutions and building the field of philanthropy through shared learning.
Advocacy Spotlight: Bike Bus World
Nominated by: Natalie Draisin, Director, North America Office and United Nations Representative, FIA Foundation
PE teacher Sam Balto captains a 2022 bike bus to Alameda Elementary in 2022. Balto is also the executive director and co-founder of Bike Bus World. Photo credit: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland
About Bike Bus World
“Bike Bus World is revolutionizing the way children and communities experience transportation by fostering a movement that is joyful, inclusive, and transformative. As an organization, they tackle pressing societal issues, including childhood physical inactivity, the mental health crisis, transportation emissions, social isolation, and road safety inequities.
Bike Bus World’s innovative approach empowers communities to establish bike buses — organized group rides to school that prioritize fun, safety, and sustainability. By equipping organizers with tools, advocacy strategies, and funding, the organization is expanding equitable access to active transportation nationwide. Their work aligns with the National Roadway Safety Strategy, the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11.2 and SDG 3.6, which focus on making transport safer and more accessible for vulnerable populations.
Bike Bus World advances equity by addressing disparities in transportation safety and accessibility, particularly for children and communities of color who are disproportionately impacted by car-centric infrastructure. By advocating for active transportation policies and funding, they work to ensure that every child has a safe and viable alternative to car travel. Their commitment to systemic change — alongside their grassroots engagement — makes them an organization worth spotlighting.”
Alameda Elementary PE teacher Sam Balto helped lead a 2022 bike bus to the school, which quickly went viral on social media. Photo credit: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland
About Their Impact
“One of Bike Bus World’s most significant policy victories occurred in 2023 with the passage of Virginia’s Bike Bus Bill, which introduced flexibility in student transportation funding. This milestone demonstrates the power of collective advocacy and community action in reshaping transportation policy to better serve students and families.
Beyond policy wins, Bike Bus World’s national and global reach continues to grow. The organization collaborated with the U.S. Department of Transportation on a social media campaign, attended the 2024 White House Holiday Party to represent the movement, and helped launch over 40 new bike buses in communities across the country. They also provided over $50,000 in bike bus supplies, ensuring that more children could safely participate.
Their impact extends to cultural influence as well. High-profile figures, including musicians Adam Metz (AJR) and Justin Timberlake, have participated in Bike Bus rides, helping to amplify the movement. Media coverage in outlets such as The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and CBS Evening News has further elevated their mission, bringing the conversation about active transportation into the mainstream.
Through strategic advocacy, community building, and large-scale visibility, Bike Bus World is not only changing how children get to school but also reshaping the broader conversation around sustainable and equitable transportation.”
Learn More
Bike Bus World offers tools and tips on how to start your own bike bus here. Follow them on Instagram at @bikebusworld.
Featured Image: Bike Bus World helped organize a bike bus at Washington D.C.’s Dunbar High School in December 2024. Photo Credit: Brian Rimm Production.
About this series: TFN invited funders to nominate a stellar grantee to be featured in the Mobility and Access Collaborative’s Advocacy Spotlight series. The stories in this series were submitted by funders and shared with nominees in advance for fact-checking and further clarification when needed. If you have any questions about this series or TFN’s Mobility and Access Collaborative, please contact Martha Roskowski martha@fundersnetwork.org