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SALT LAKE CITY -- James Allen is passionate about biking and that passion has translated into helping others.
Allen isn't one to look for attention, but his actions have caught the attention of the bicycle community.
"He's very committed to making a difference with the bike collective; and I think he's a great kid doing great things," Tatiana Webb, who nominated Allen, said.
Allen is the director of the University of Utah bicycle collective. Established in 2002, the collective establishes cycling as an effective form of transportation.
His stepfather, Bob Webb, said, "He spends a lot of time at the bike collective here and in Salt Lake City, donating time. I mean hours and hours and hours."
At the U., Allen and other volunteers run bike repair stations on campus to help other students.
"By helping people be able to fix their own problem and fix their own bikes and keep them running, I feel like that really gives them a sense of empowerment," Allen said.
Empowerment also comes from the collective's initiative to refurbish old bikes and donate them to refugees and others in need of a reliable way to get to work and school.
Allen is a bike enthusiast. He rides his bike everywhere, all year long -- even in the snow!
"I like it because it really gives a sense of fulfillment when you get somewhere, like you had to work hard to get there," he said. "It's pretty cool just knowing that I'm empowering myself."
E-mail: bwalker@ksl.com
