Who is Ruach Bicycle Club?
Ruach Bicycle Club is a STEM based bicycle organization that teaches students how STEM relates to biking through hands-on experience and workshops. Our students learn how to ride and race BMX and Mountain Bikes, and attend STEM based programming.
Can you speak more to the STEM portion of Ruach’s programming?
This summer Ruach hosted a classroom series with the University of Pittsburgh’s Rehab Neural Engineering Labs (RNEL) at Pitt Community Engagement Center in Homewood. RNEL conducts research in neuroscience and biomedical engineering. Together we provided students with an introduction to research and science with hands-on activities.
Students were introduced to Phillip McKenzie at the Brain-Computer Interfaces workshops. Philip, a C-4 quadriplegic, is part of a research program in which he has several electrodes implanted into his brain. When Phillip’s brain is connected to a computer, he is able to complete tasks, control robots, and play games only using brain power. It’s truly remarkable technology and was a great experience for the students.
Phillip moves the red dot on the screen by thinking about using his right arm.
How does being a Community Ambassador help your organization achieve its goals?
Being a part of the Community Ambassador programs helps us to get more people on bikes and spread the word about the club and bike riding in general.
What would you like to see for your community in the Greater Pittsburgh Area?
We would like to see more people practicing safe riding, using proper signals, and more protected bike lanes.
How do you think the Community Ambassadors can help break down barriers to bicycling in Pittsburgh?
Community Ambassadors can break down barriers to biking by being visible in the community and encouraging others to get out and ride.
Follow along and learn more about Ruach Bicycle Club at the links below!
Mike White
Ruach Bicycle Club
IG – @ruachbicycleclub
FB – https://www.facebook.com/ruachbicycleclub
Ride with POGOH’s Community Ambassadors
