Even though LeBron James is moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles, he has continued to support his hometown of Akron, Ohio. This Thursday, the basketball star and the Akron school board opened the I Promise School, a facility for at-risk children who are having difficulties both at home and in the classroom.

 

One of its main projects? A bicycle and helmet will be given to each of the 240 pupils.

 

James has previously given bikes as gifts to young children before this scheme. Bicycles are now an essential part of the LeBron James Family Foundation’s outreach initiative. And a big part of it is because, growing up in Akron, riding a bicycle provided James with a means of escape.

 

“LeBron’s bike provided him with the necessary mobility to reach secure locations such as community centers and basketball courts after school,” e-mailed Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, to Bicycling. “Those two wheels opened doors for him and provided resources that he otherwise would not have had access to.”

 

James rode around the streets with children and families during a bike-a-thon in 2008, one of the foundation’s first events in Akron. For Campbell, though, it was a one-and-done deal.

 

She remarked, “LeBron knew he could do more.”

 

Thus, in 2011, James started a program called Wheels for Education, wherein a new bike and helmet were given to each incoming class of third graders. Since then, the initiative has changed to become the I Promise School.

 

LeBron feels that giving motorcycles to his students is vital since he understands how much he depended on one during his childhood. He had to bicycle if he wanted to go somewhere because his family didn’t own a car, Campbell said. It made it possible for him to remain secure and out of danger. LeBron wants his children to learn that from these bikes.

 

Not to mention that James encourages his children to be active and get outside by having access to bicycles.

 

Going forward, a Huffy bike and helmet will be given to each student enrolled in the I Promise School. Additionally, the program has a partnership with the Bike Kitchen and the Summit Cycling Center in downtown Akron, where students can bring their bikes for upkeep and repairs.

 

“Our goal is to ensure that all the students require is taken care of, allowing them to concentrate on obtaining their education,” stated Campbell.

 

The bikes are merely a component of the I Promise School program. The school will operate longer than a typical school year and concentrate on getting students who are behind in the curriculum up to speed. Classes began on Monday. According to SBNation, the school will also offer resources to families, such as assistance with job placement and an on-site food bank.