BNSF Celebrates 25 Years of Leadership Training by Gifting 1,110 Bikes to Students

BNSF Railway marked the 25th anniversary of its People Leader Training (PLT) program with a special community initiative in Fort Worth, Texas. Partnering with local school districts, early childhood learning centers, and the nonprofit Bikes for Goodness Sake, the railway gifted 1,110 brand-new bicycles to students during a two-day event at BNSF’s headquarters in mid-November.

The initiative paired leadership development with hands-on service, as BNSF leaders worked alongside students in grades one through four to assemble bikes. The activity not only strengthened teamwork and leadership skills but also gave students the joy of receiving the bikes they helped build.

Several Fort Worth area school districts participated, including Fort Worth ISD, which coordinated over 100 sessions through its Family Action Center under Director Dr. Carlos Walker. Northwest ISD contributed students for more than 30 sessions, while Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Keller, and Grapevine-Colleyville ISDs also joined the program.

BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer said:

“Our People Leader Training program has always been about strengthening our culture through service, teamwork, and connection. For our 25th anniversary, we wanted to do something extraordinary that truly embodied our values and gave back to the communities where we live and work. Watching our employees and students build these bikes together has been a rewarding experience, connecting our purpose while leading change and growth with real impact.”

Since 2000, BNSF’s PLT program has cultivated leadership skills across the company, emphasizing the core Leadership Model: Create a Compelling Vision, Model the Way, Lead More and Manage Less, Communicate Consistently, and Make Development a Priority. The 2025 bike-building events brought these principles to life, combining leadership training with meaningful community engagement.

Image: BNSF