Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Thai of Alpharetta, Georgia, is passionate about biking — and competes in triathlons. After learning that a local sporting goods store was going to close a community bike workshop, Jonathan’s heart sank, because he knew kids in the area would be losing access to bikes and opportunities to learn how to ride.
Drawing inspiration from his parents’ upbringing in post-war Vietnam — where bikes are a cornerstone of life — Jonathan founded the Pedal Forward Foundation in hopes of helping more kids ride.
The charity group has been a huge success. Jonathan has raised over $30,000, collected 400 donated bikes, handed out 500 helmets, and hosted free riding clinics for local children. The Pedal Forward Foundation has already expanded to New York and Tennessee — and Jonathan has plans to bring bikes and humanitarian aid directly to Vietnam next year.