We’re launching Build & Ride, a free 4-week beginner road cycling program at Esquina Bicycle Shop in Boyle Heights, LA. This project is designed to empower new and hesitant riders—especially women, LGBTQ+ folks, and BIPOC community members—through supportive, themed group rides that focus on safety, confidence, and connection.

Each week, we’ll gather at Esquina for a guided ride that includes a short workshop on basic bike maintenance (like fixing a flat or adjusting brakes), a group ride through local streets or bike paths, and a post-ride hangout with snacks, music, and community-building activities. The goal is to create a fun, inclusive space where people can build physical and emotional confidence while moving through their city on two wheels.

Esquina is more than a bike shop—we’re a grassroots hub where art, bikes, and community intersect. This project is an extension of our mission: to make cycling more accessible and joyful, and to use mobility as a tool for liberation, health, and local pride.

With this program, we’ll help demystify cycling for beginners, create safer streets through education, and foster a growing network of local riders who feel confident showing up for themselves and their community.