OUR MISSION
What We Believe:
CHARITY
Bikes for Goodness Sake is a charitable organization—501(c)(3)—with a mission to share the goodness of bicycles with underprivileged youth through sponsored corporate charity bike build events. Our goal is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to own a high-quality bike and helmet to encourage safe cycling and foster a love for cycling from a young age.
COMMUNITY
Bikes for Goodness Sake aims to strengthen communities by fostering a culture of cycling among youth, building both confidence and a sense of independence. We work closely with local bike shops, community groups, and corporations to host events that unite people around a shared mission of giving back, creating lasting bonds within communities and supporting youth development.
Who We Are:
As one of the first non-profit bike organizations in America, Bikes for Goodness Sake remains the only charity bike-building organization with a national footprint that is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. We collaborate with local bike shops, corporations, groups, and dedicated volunteers to host charity bike build events and distribute bikes to local youth through corporate sponsors. Our vision is to create a vibrant cycling culture across North America, starting with the youth in our communities.
Founded by Mark Smith and Pete Buck of Bucks Bikes in Austin, Texas, our first event occurred on July 4, 2008. Partnering with Texas Military Family Services, we identified 50 children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces, honoring their silent sacrifice. This event marked the beginning of our journey to empower youth through cycling. You can learn more about our impact through a testimonial and watch a video commemorating the first event below.
Meet Our Team
Mark Smith
Founder
Mark has been a lifelong cyclist biking through the United States and Europe. He remembers getting his first bike at four years old - and getting in trouble for riding in the street every chance he got. Mark started Bikes For Goodness Sake to help ensure that every child gets to experience the pure joy of riding a bike. Mark’s day job is serving as CEO of a national workers’ comp telemed company.
Kenna Smith
Managing Director
Kenna spent 30 years working in the software financial industry while also dedicating her time to volunteering and serving on the boards of non-profit organizations. Her chosen path allowed her to balance her professional career with her commitment to community service. In 2023, Kenna transitioned from her 35-year career in the high-tech industry to focus on achieving a better work-life balance by becoming the Managing Director of Bikes For Goodness Sake.
Pete Buck
Co-Founder
Pete and his father started a bike repair shop in a humble tin shed in East Austin, Texas in the late 80’s. Over the next thirty years, he grew the shop to four stores, which became a beloved Austin institution – Buck’s Bikes. Pete sold the business in 2019 and retired. Today, he spends his time teaching his grandkids to ride bikes and working on antique cars. He remains an avid champion of Bikes For Goodness Sake’s mission.
Our History
2008
Pete and Mark join forces to start Bikes For Goodness Sake and kick off the fi rst event building 75 bikes to give to the children of deploying soldiers at Camp Mabry.
2009
Enlisted eight bike shops across Texas to build and gift over 500 bikes to military families with children.
2010
Launched the BFGS website to share our model with great companies that want to have the experience of giving a good kid a good bike.
2012
Over 100 companies’ partner with BFGS to build 2000+bikes.
2015
BFGS hits the 10,000 bikes donated milestone in partnership with 800 companies.
2019
Built 50 bikes with the Tour De France EF Education team at the Rose Bowl after the Tour of California.
2019
First Title 1 School bike build sponsored by Emerson, which gave 23 Bikes to 23 second graders in Austin, TX.
2020
Charity bike builds on hold across the country due to COVID.
2021
HME, a repeat corporate sponsor, is the first company post COVID to host a charity bike build event.
2023
Another big milestone! Over 1100 companies have partnered with BFGS, and over 15,000 bikes have been built since the non-profit’s inception.
2024
We hire our first employee with a mission to expand awareness and engage more Title 1 schools to give more bikes to great kids..
Give Back to Your Community
Join us as a volunteer and help us continue our mission to provide underprivileged youth with the opportunity to own a bike, learn about cycling safety, and experience the joy of riding. Together, we can make a difference, one bike at a time.