Our Story

In our daily lives, we hear numerous euphemisms about turning a bad situation into a positive. “Make lemonade out of lemons” or “what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” Bike Safe I M was born out of such a perspective.

Ian was struck by an SUV while riding his bike and drug 80 feet sustaining numerous injuries due to this accident, including a skull fracture, fractured pelvis and multiple severe areas of “road rash.” After a week in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, multiple trips to medical specialists and being surrounded by loving friends, family, teachers and a church community, Ian emerged from this horrific event scared but determined to return to normal.

Part of his recovery (and recovery of his family) was to begin sharing his experience with other kids in hopes that they would learn from his accident, always wear a helmet while biking and obey all safety rules. From the act of courage of this 8 year old boy, who understands that he survived a terrible experience by the grace of God and by wearing his helmet, the idea of a foundation, Bike Safe I M, was born in order to take his message to as many kids and their parents as we can reach. ( A play on words “I am”, I M stands for Ian McEwen his first and middle names.)

The incredible support of Bike Safe I M by our donors, sponsors, advocates and partners will continue to make a difference as we strive to meet the foundation’s vision of being a comprehensive, nationwide, children’s bike safety education and victim assistance foundation. By providing leading edge information on our website, conducting education and safety awareness events and partnering with the biking industry and bike organizations, we are striving to achieve unparalleled public awareness on issues of bike safety.

We know that we will never be able to prevent accidents from happening, however, through the efforts of the foundation, we are determined to arm kids with the knowledge of how to safely enjoy biking, teach them to properly wear helmets, provide helmets to as many kids as we can and to assist families that have had children permanently affected by bicycle accidents. We are determined to “make lemonade out of lemons” that were served by this accidents and to help others avoid the pain and suffering of an 8 year old boy and his family.