For two sessions, high schoolers at The Forest School: An Acton Academy tackled the Bike Quest, Trilith on Two Wheels, an initiative challenging us to rethink mobility in our community. Learners explored the psychology behind behavior change, successful biking cultures worldwide, and the health and safety benefits of biking. After months of empathy interviews, research, brainstorming, prototyping, and solutions narrowing, they brought their insights to life at an interactive Exhibition on February 11, 2025, designed to immerse attendees in the biking experience and pave a trail forward for the community of Trilith.

In what follows, you’ll see the Problems and Solutions our high schoolers discovered and shared, Exhibition details, and the Experts that helped us along the way.

Problems and Solutions for Biking at Trilith

The high schoolers’ research revealed that Trilith’s car-centric design, lack of bike infrastructure, and safety concerns make biking difficult. Many residents rely on cars due to convenience, while limited awareness of biking’s benefits further discourages change. To address this, students proposed lowering speed limits, adding road signs, improving bike parking, and creating safer routes. They also suggested business incentives, events, and an app to track biking activity and rewards. Safety classes, competitions, and teen-designed bike courses could help build confidence and engagement.

The team explored strategies to encourage biking across different age groups. Younger riders could be drawn in with LED-lit bikes and fun sounds, while teens might embrace biking through affordable e-bikes and skatepark-style bike zones. Adults would benefit from well-lit bike paths and cost comparisons showing that biking is cheaper than car ownership. For older riders, comfort-focused bike designs with easy pedaling and cushioned seats would make cycling more accessible.

Biking’s benefits go beyond convenience. The research showed a 49% boost in local business sales from increased foot traffic and significant health advantages, including reduced risks of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Environmentally, if just 10% of people biked instead of drove, global healthcare costs could drop by $25 billion annually.

To strengthen their case, students studied biking cultures worldwide. Amsterdam’s compact layout and Japan’s biking infrastructure make cycling a natural choice. Popular strategies include car-free days, bike-sharing programs, and historical biking trails. Key psychological factors influencing biking habits include peer pressure, motivation, habit stacking, and a clear mindset.

By addressing infrastructure, safety, and cultural barriers, learners have laid the groundwork for a more bike-friendly Trilith. Their findings highlight practical steps that could transform the community, making biking safer, more accessible, and more widely embraced. The Bike Quest project serves as a roadmap for a sustainable, healthier future on two wheels. The group presented their context, problem, and solution at a public Exhibition.

Exhibition

At Exhibition participants rotated through four engaging stations, each lasting 15-20 minutes. These stations were designed to offer a well-rounded, hands-on exploration of biking culture, safety, and community engagement.

The Four Stations

1. Expert Insights: The Future of Biking

At this station, biking advocates Hannah Webb, Aaron Fortner, and Steve Church shared real-world perspectives on:

How biking improves health, sustainability, and community
Lessons from bike-friendly cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam
Key safety strategies for everyday cycling

This provided attendees with essential knowledge and inspiration from cities that have successfully integrated biking into daily life.

2. Trilith Bike Tour

Participants experienced Trilith on two wheels, riding through designated paths to see firsthand how biking can be a seamless and enjoyable mode of transportation. Biking guides highlighted bike-friendly infrastructure and shared insights on how small design choices can transform urban mobility.

3. Bike Mechanics & Maintenance

Led by local biking groups, this station offered a hands-on look at the mechanics of a bike. Attendees learned about essential bike components, basic repairs, and maintenance tips to keep their bikes in top shape. Whether it's adjusting brakes or fixing a flat tire, this session equipped participants with valuable skills for independent riding.

4. Creative Bike Customization

In the final station, creativity took center stage! Participants had the opportunity to decorate their bikes and safety gear, such as helmets and knee pads. This station encouraged personal expression while reinforcing the importance of visibility and safety on the road.

Meet the Experts

Hannah Webb

Director of Program & Resources, Trilith Foundation

Hannah is a business leader and long-time resident of Fayette County. She currently serves as the Director of Programs & Resources at Trilith Foundation, where the mission is to enrich the lives of storymakers who inspire the world. For fourteen years prior, Hannah served Operators at the Chick-fil-A Support Center in the areas of Service & Hospitality and Customer Digital Experience. While at Chick-fil-A, she led teams and projects focused on the intersection of people, technology, and space design, developing an expertise in Customer experience and strategy.

She is married to her high school sweetheart, Tommy, and a proud mother to four kiddos. Being a mother of four littles keeps her active, but for leisure, Hannah enjoys biking, running, cooking, traveling, serving as a Door Holder at Passion City Church and providing hospitality in her home.

Aaron Forner

Urban Designer, Planner, Pacemaker

Aaron is the Principal and founder of the Canvas Planning Group. With 28 years of experience in community planning, design, and development, Aaron has an extensive portfolio of collaborating with clients and partners to create lovable and vibrant com- munities. A passionate New Urbanist, his skill set includes master planning, corridor planning, urban design, land use and zoning, community engagement, community branding, and real estate development. His true passion is in creating lovable, thriving, and nurturing communities - the places that people love to be.

Steve Church

USA Cycling Coach and Cyclist

Steve is a certified USA Cycling Coach and avid cyclist who logs 7,000-8,000 bike miles per year. Although he loved bike riding since childhood, he began cycling regularly 15 years ago and steadily progressed from leisure riding to becoming a highly ranked competitive age-group racer in Georgia. After more than 120,000 miles on bikes, his knowledge of the mental and technical aspects of cycling have made him an ambassador for the cycling community.With support from his family, friends, coach, teammates and training partner, Steve has maintained his dedication to cycling as a means of physical, emotional and social well-being. He is now the Bike Coordinator at the Trilith Foundation, committed to helping people of all ages enjoy life on two wheels

Wrapping Up: Reflection & Expert Feedback

The Exhibition concluded with a reflective discussion in the High School Studio, where experts and participants will debrief on their experiences, share takeaways, and discuss next steps in making Trilith a more bike-friendly community.

Through a blend of expert insights, hands-on experiences, and interactive learning, this event highlighted the transformative potential of biking.

A Quest to Pave the Way for a Bike-Friendly Trilith: "Trilith on Two Wheels"