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How Lyft and LeBron James are ensuring the youth can ride out too

LeBron James surprised a group of enthusiastic teens in Harlem on Tuesday by announcing a program that would give thousands of young people across the country access to free bikes.

The giddy youths at the YMCA in Harlem were shocked to see James and then hear his announcement. A partnership between James’ company Uninterrupted and the ridesharing company Lyft.

James described the joy and opportunities bikes offered him as a young boy growing up in the inner-city of Akron, Ohio.

“To be able just to travel, beautiful fresh air, to be able to clear your mind at times; it’s a segue to be able to do so many things that can also carry you for the rest of your life,” said James.

The lucky 50 Harlem teenagers that attended the announcement were gifted a free bike membership. But Uninterrupted and Lyft did not stop there.

 

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They plan to launch the program in the Spring in New York City and then expand to Chicago and the Bay Area later this year.

James’ charitable efforts are well-documented, but it was especially kind of him to make the announcement in person for the New York teens in attendance.

Ahead of his Lakers game against the Knicks Wednesday night, he could have been doing a number of other things. Instead, those kids’ days were made. James showed how much he cares for the inner-city youth in this country.

Lyft plans to offer thousands of free bike-share memberships to kids between the ages of 16-20, and are affiliated with the YMCA and meet certain income requirements.

Walking around big cities can be brolic, and not many families have a car or multiple cars to move around the city.

Giving the youth access to free bikes is a way to allow them to explore, to get to events that they are interested in, and engage in activities where they would otherwise not be able.

James’ cofounder of Uninterrupted, Maverick Carter, has known Lyft’s co-founder John Zimmer since Lyft’s inception.

“He was one of the first people to believe in me and the company,” said Zimmer.

“We always wanted to find a way to work together and find something truly authentic.”

While Lyft will distribute the bikes to the youth, Uninterrupted will help the production and videos for the new program.

This initiative is a kind gesture by Uninterrupted and Lyft. The youth are the future of this country, and bikes are extremely underrated as catalysts for kids to be creative and explore themselves as they enter adulthood.

 

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