About the Founder!

Hi! My name is Conor Shaughnessy, and I founded the Bicycle Thieves Project in 2021. Since then, I have taken this project, giving bikes to kids in financial need, from California to Oregon, Florida, and now to Pennsylvania, specifically Philadelphia.

I started this project because, over the years, I noticed a steady decline in the number of kids outside riding bikes. While technology certainly played a role in this, I quickly realized that a big reason was the rising cost of bicycles.

Some quick stats show that the average price of a bike has increased by 40% since 2019, while average wages, adjusted for inflation, have decreased by about 5%.

Unfortunately, I came to realize that it has become harder for the average family to afford a bike for their child. These economic barriers are acting as thieves, robbing children of the opportunity to experience the joy of owning and riding a bike. This is how the name, Bicycle Thieves Project, was born.

Riding a bike was a key part of my childhood, and I believe every child should have the chance to experience the benefits and joy that biking provides. So, I decided to take action and personally ensure that as many children as possible could have this experience.

Now, with the help of my board members, Jeremy Roschko (Vice President) and Michael Coburn (Treasurer), I have turned this idea into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Thank you for being part of our journey and supporting our project. We have big dreams for the Bicycle Thieves Project, and we won’t be able to achieve them without you.

If you’d like to further support our mission, feel free to donate in our shop or click this link! https://bthieves.com/products/donate-to-our-mission-1