Envisioning a society that embraces the immeasurable worth of every human life.
Why We Ride
THE NEED
Many pro-life efforts focus on supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies. This work is essential, but it addresses a symptom of a deeper problem.
Our culture has increasingly lost sight of God, the dignity of every human person, and the truth that every life has inherent value.
To build a lasting culture of life, we must address this root cause by helping people encounter the profound dignity of every human person.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Young adults are searching for purpose, belonging, and a mission worth giving their lives to.
Yet many are surrounded by messages that promote self-interest, isolation, and the belief that fulfillment comes from living for oneself. These messages obscure both their God-given dignity and the dignity of others.
Now is the time to invite young adults into a different way of life: one rooted in sacrificial love, authentic community, and a deep respect for every human person.
THE SOLUTION
Biking for Babies proclaims the dignity of human life by uniting cycling with the formation of young adults into missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
Through the challenge of a cross-country mission, young adults encounter Jesus and learn to make a gift of themselves for others. By sacrificing their time, energy, and comfort in service of the culture of life, they discover a powerful truth: authentic love leads to lasting joy, purpose, and fulfillment.
As they are transformed, they become lifelong witnesses who help build a culture where every human life is welcomed, valued, and protected.
In 16 years, Biking for Babies has:
FORMED
Young Adults
340
340
SUPPORTED
Pregnancy Help Organizations
191
191
DONATED
To Life-Affirming Work
$2.94M
$2.94M
PEDALED
Miles Across the Nation
41,385
41,385 THIS IS OUR MISSION:
to renew a culture of life.
Since 2009, we’ve biked across the country for life. We share our joy in sacrificing for the sake of others, others who we may never meet.
Will you join us?
Who We Are
Our leaders and advisory board guide our vision and keep our mission alive. Learn more about them today!
Who We Serve
We partner with pregnancy help organizations who provide direct care for women and families in need.
OUR HISTORY
How Biking for Babies began
Biking for Babies started because two young men were inspired to make the spirit of pro-life work more accessible to others and themselves—trying to experience, in some small measure, the endurance and commitment that is tried upon the young women and families in the face of an unexpected pregnancy.
Inspired by St. John Paul II’s exhortation, “Woe to you if you do not succeed in defending life,” Jimmy Becker and Mike Schaefer took their bikes to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in March 2009 with the goal to bicycle 600 miles in order to fundraise and raise awareness for the women and family-focused efforts taking place at pregnancy resource centers.
They not only biked those miles, but they raised over $14,000 for a local pregnancy resource center.
Biking for Babies has been blessed with a steadily increasing stream of young people who have been inspired to express their own personal desire to make the “endurance and commitment” required of pro-life work real to themselves and others.
Each of the college students and young adults that have participated since 2009 have built friendships with each other, despite hardship along the way, and with those we have been honored and blessed to meet during our travels.
These rider and support crew missionaries move on from the National Ride inspired and ready to impact their local communities.
Biking for Babies began a national journey in 2010, when the teams first rode from New Orleans, LA to Champaign, IL. Riding over 1,000 miles in 8 days, the riders and support crew of the early days of the ride were fearless as they accomplished their daily rides, the longest of which was 230 miles!
Our National Ride has transformed over the years, including routes from Florida, Texas and Louisiana to Chicago. And in 2017, we solidified our vision to cover the nation in prayer as we biked Christ’s cross into St Louis, the heart of America. With our yellow jerseys and painted support vehicles, people stop us to ask “What are you doing?” It is these encounters that invite others into the mission and move hearts to support life.
In 2018, we hired our Executive Director and first full-time employee, Nikki Biese, committed to spreading the Biking for Babies mission. This decision took Biking for Babies to new levels of missionary formation, fundraising, and pregnancy help organization support. Nikki, along with the Board and staff, envision, in the near future, many National Rides happening across the country throughout the year, where millions ride to witness to the beauty of life.
The history of Biking for Babies is not best understood in miles bicycled or money fundraised, but, rather is part of the penetrating story of pro-life work that is alive and growing stronger—in our families, churches, communities, and in our own hearts.
Even as our mission grows, we recognize that our work is far from over. Now, more than ever, each of us is needed to put our prayers into action and make a difference. Join us, we’re just getting started.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be alert, steadfast in faith, be courageous, be strong, and let all that you do, be done in love.
Our Vision
Our vision is a society that embraces the immeasurable worth of every human life from conception to natural death.
Our Mission
Biking for Babies proclaims the dignity of human life by uniting cycling with the formation of young adults into missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our History
Biking for Babies started because two young men were inspired to make the spirit of pro-life work more accessible to others and themselves.