The founder of a Marin-based organization providing bike rides - and bicycles - for underprivileged kids has been nominated in a National Hero Awards contest sponsored by Volvo Cars of North America.

Winners - to be determined by online votes - will receive cash prizes of up to $100,000.

Marilyn Price of Mill Valley, founder-director of Trips for Kids, is one of 40 semi-finalists. Price launched her organization after an afternoon bike ride overlooking the ocean. She thought inner-city kids could benefit from similar rides, connecting them with exercise and nature.

Trips for Kids now has 57 chapters in the United States and Canada.

The public can vote for Price through Jan. 7 at www.volvoforlifeawards.com.

Trips for Kids, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in November, takes 1,300 kids a year on bike rides in Marin, often from trailheads in China Camp or Tam Valley.