1. Community Bicycle Center: Youth Outcomes Measurement
10/17/2013
Purpose:The purpose of this outcomes measurement survey is to increase ourunderstanding of the lifeskillsyouth
develop during their participation at the Community Bicycle Center (CBC). Secondarily, the results will inform
program designs to more effectively develop skills, attitudes, and beliefs in the youth we serve.
Participants:Twenty-four youth participated in the survey (11 male, 13 female). Youth who attended CBC
programming a minimum of 20 times in a given year over the last two years were selected for the survey.Age
breakdown of participants:Twenty-two percent (22%)of youth were between 8-10 years old, 26% were between
11-13 years old, 43% were between 14-16 years old, and 9% of youth were 17 years and older. Frequency
breakdown of participants: Eight percent (8%) of youth reported attending CBC programming 20-30 times, 17%
reported 30-40 times, and 75% of youth reported attending CBC programming 40 or more times per year.
Survey:The youth outcomes survey was comprised of questions related to participants life skill development during
their tenure at the CBC. Questions were developed that correlated with the internal and external assetsdefined by
the Search Institute*andthe 15 essential life skillsdefined bySusan Kovalik and Associates (1992) **.
Questions were answered on a scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree with a neutral option.
Youth were asked to take the survey during open shop hours at the CBC in order to explain questions if needed. All
individual responses are confidential.
Results:All survey questions averaged an 82%positive response rate, and an average of 8% negative response rate.
Ten percent of responses were neutral.Of the 24youth surveyed, 100% reported that since attending CBC
programming they felt comfortable talking to an adult they could trust, and were comfortable asking for help
(External Assets: Support and Empowerment).
Additionally, 96% of youth agreed that when they attempt to do something they give their best effort and
92% of youth enjoyed trying new things since they began attending the CBC (LIFESKILLS: Effort and Curiosity).
Eighty-eight percent of participants reported they had more patience, integrity, and pride since they
started attending CBC programming (Internal Assets: Positive Values and Positive Identity; LIFESKILLS: Patience and
Integrity).
Respondents also reported being better problem solvers, more caring of other people, having more fun
without hurting others, and teaching the skills they have learned to others (External Assets: Empowerment;
Internal Assets: Positive Values; LIFESKILLS: Problem Solving, Caring and Sense of Humor).
Fifty-two percent (52%) of youth reported that they are more fit since attending the CBC. Youth selfreported feeling better about themselves, having healthier eating habits, having stronger muscles, being able to
think more clearly, losing weight, having more confidence, and an increase in social skills. Two youth reported that
their chronic asthma had reduced to bronchial spasms because of their participation in CBC bike rides.
Youth also reported that the skills they have learned at the CBC have been transferable to other areas of
their lives including school. Youth attributed the CBC to helping them stay composed and better focused during
tests, making and keeping friends, being more organized, respecting their peers and other adults, and a curiosity to
learn new things.
*INTERNAL&EXTERNALASSETS:
AsdefinedbytheSearchInstitute,developmentalassets(internalandexternal)representtherelationships,opportunities,andpersonalqualitiesyoungpeopl
eneedtoavoidriskandthrive.Themoreassetsyoungpeoplehave,thelesslikelytheyaretoengageinhigh–riskbehavior.
**LIFESKILLS:
AsdefinedbytheWorldHealthOrganization,lifeskillsarethe“abilitiesforadaptiveandpositivebehaviorthatenableindividualstodealeffectivelywiththedem
andandchallengesofeverydaylife.”CBCfocusesonspecificlifeskill‐sets,whichinclude:problemsolving,communication,andgoalpersistence.