How One Man Is Transforming Lives Through Bikes

Matthew Prendergast knows that sometimes, the fastest way to reach a young man’s heart is through a pair of wheels. In the heart of August Town, St Andrew, his community programme, Jamaica Bike Life, is using motorcycles and bicycles to steer youth away from violence and into opportunity. It is mentorship with horsepower, empowering young men to build skills, confidence, and a new sense of direction.

A lifelong biker and self-described “community man”, Prendergast launched Jamaica Bike Life as a way to reach youth who were often overlooked or written off. “So many of them just needed someone to believe in them,” he says. “And once they know you care, they’ll ride with you, not just on bikes, but toward better choices.”

Through the programme, participants learn everything from motorcycle and bicycle mechanics to tactical riding and road safety. But it is not just about fixing bikes. It is about fixing mindsets. Prendergast teaches his mentees about discipline, accountability, and personal growth, turning mechanical training into life training.

Every June, Jamaica Bike Life steps up its impact during Road Safety Month. In partnership with the Road Safety Unit, HEART/NSTA Trust, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Prendergast brings his road safety campaign into schools across the island. At Mountainside Primary in St Elizabeth, students received hands-on lessons in motorcycle awareness and responsible riding. “We’re planting seeds early,” he explains. “Because when they grow up with the right mindset, they ride smarter and live longer.”

Prendergast’s efforts respond to a pressing national issue. Jamaica has seen a rise in motorcycle-related deaths, many involving young men. By targeting this group through education and mentorship, Jamaica Bike Life is helping to shift a culture of risk into one of responsibility. “People talk about crime and idle youth, but what if the solution is right here?” Prendergast asks. “Give them tools. Give them purpose. Give them something to build. That’s what we’re doing.”

In recognition of his impact, Matthew Prendergast was named one of Supreme Ventures Foundation’s 2024 Supreme Heroes, a title he wears with pride. “It means that someone saw what I’ve been doing and said, ‘Yes, this matters,’” he reflects. “Being a Supreme Hero pushes me to do even more, to reach more communities, and to remind these boys that they are worth the effort.”

With support from the foundation, Prendergast hopes to expand his operations and take Jamaica Bike Life islandwide, offering both skill-building and emotional support to youth in need. “This is about more than bikes,” he says. “It’s about building men of character. It’s about showing them that even if life starts rough, it doesn’t have to stay that way. That’s the real journey and I’m proud to ride it with them.”

As communities search for grass-roots solutions to youth violence, unemployment, and unsafe roads, Matthew Prendergast is already in motion, guiding the next generation, one rider at a time.