#2BFayetteville

affordable and accessible to all. They believe that if the bicycle industry better reflects society, it will make their organization stronger. A spoke in a larger wheel "I think that this is a really important time for our state, for our nation, for our college, to be having these conversations around issues of access and equity and diversity," Bolinder continued. "It's a great time for us all to examine our intentions. We hope that this program becomes part of a larger focus on infrastructure issues related to transportation. We believe in the health that cycling can provide. We believe in the economic development that cycling has and will provide our region. We also recognize that in a lot of places nationwide that housing affordability doesn't always equal cycling accessibility or safety. We are really excited to present this program as meeting a housing need in the area – as well as providing careers for students." In addition to NWACC's partnership with BIEA and the Walton Family Foundation, Bolinder has forged important relationships with businesses and organizations in Northwest Arkansas. "Nickel Potter and Tim Robinson from Phat Tire have been great partners and have offered a lot of time and wisdom and hours to help us set up our program and shop," she noted. "Allied Cycling has let us tour their facility and ask questions. Craig Zeidecker of Allied is giving his time to serve on the search committee for our director position because that's such an important hire for the success and growth of this program. The same with BikeNWA's Anya Bruin, Paxton Roberts, Candice Kozark, and Kim Seay. They've all been really wonderful in their time and candor and networking. They have connected us to a lot of people and events, and I am so grateful to the NWA cycling community." NWACC has also been in talks with the nonprofit organization Pedal it Forward and local schools to discuss securing scholarship dollars to help reach out to diverse populations. "If we are able to secure scholarships for students, a large part of the reciprocity for those scholarships will include service time to apply what they're learning in the shop in service," she noted. "We intend for partnerships with places like Pedal it Forward, Latinas En Bici, and our K12 school bicycle programs to be solidified in the inaugural year when our students are finally on campus, have spent time in the shop, and are ready to do service hours to apply their learning. From a personal perspective, Bolinder is enthusiastic about the cycling lifestyle and the many benefits it offers. "I used to train for marathons and I know what commitment to a lifestyle like cycling can be and the good that it can do for groups of people and community building, health and mental health," she noted. "And I love that the actual NWACC school complex is right at the top of the Arkansas Missouri trailhead. In fact, the building where this program will be housed is right there on the trailhead. I'm excited that we're going to now be a part of the flow of people on their bicycles through our campus." 10

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