However, that is changing, thanks to a local organization called Neighborhood Bike Works.
It's a unique organization, and one of its marquee programs is "Earn-A-Bike", where kids learn to build their own bicycles.
Mustafa Abdul-Rashid is the coordinator of the city's Earn-A-Bike program. He grew up in West Philadelphia, and earned his own bike through the program when he was in high school.
The program allows 8 to 18 year-olds to develop new skills and improve their self-confidence.
"I just listened to all the instructions and just did it," said 12 year old Kaleeah Greenagh.
"It might look hard, but you start doing it and doing it all over again, it starts to get easier," said Kaniyah McMillan.
The kids learn how to build a new bike out of spare parts from old, donated ones, and then they get to keep them.
"We started as an off-shoot of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, now we are a full-fledged non-profit," said Erin DeCou.
Jim Wiley supports the program because of his passion for biking and his memories of his first bike.
"It was red, really small. I was five years old. It was very cool," said Wiley. "This shop right here alone will build about 75 bikes a year for area kids.
16-year old Joshua Care is a graduate of the program and is now on its race team.
"Actually when I first started the program, I was younger than the required age. You had to be 12. I was 11 at the time," said Joshua. "I snuck in and got in there."
"It's about creating opportunities, giving a kid an example to look up to," said Mustafa.
Neighborhood Bike Works runs two summer camps and four Earn-A-Bike programs throughout the rest of the year.
