Ridge Meadows Celebrates 'All Kids Bike Day'

In celebration of All Kids Bike Day on Friday, March 28, Ridge Meadows Elementary is asking its community to help bring the Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program to its students.

The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program is a comprehensive program that includes teacher training and certification; a complete curriculum with lesson plans, games and activities; a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, fully adjustable student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet; two rolling storage racks; and access to a resource portal with live support for the life of the program. The program aims to provide everything needed to teach students how to progress from balance to riding a bike in eight lessons.

"If they learn how to ride a bike in kindergarten or first grade, they'll have that freedom and maturity when they're old enough to go out on their own to ride to a friend's house or wherever they want to go," said Ridge Meadows physical education and health teacher Katie Reuss. "Riding a bike is a skill that everyone should have. It's a lifelong physical activity that anyone can do."

At Ridge Meadows, this program would teach around 40 kindergarten students how to ride a bike on an annual basis, impacting hundreds of students over the seven-to-10-year lifespan of the program equipment.

“The ability to ride a bike develops physical and mental well-being and instills confidence which can lead to better focus in the classroom," said Lisa Weyer, executive director of the Strider Education Foundation, which supports All Kids Bike. "Kindergarten is the perfect age to teach kids to ride a bike focusing on gross motor skills, balance and coordination.  By teaching bike riding at the entry level in a public school system, we are providing the knowledge and a positive foundation of a lifelong skill.”

Ballwin Elementary first implemented the program with its students during the 2022-2023 school year and encouraged the Ridge Meadows PE staff to begin the process of bringing it to their school.

"They've really enjoyed it," Reuss said. "They said it was easy to incorporate into their PE classes and that the kids were excited to get on the bikes and give it a go, learn and practice."

The All Kids Bike program is made possible through the support of private individuals, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and public institutions. By working together, donors and community partners make it possible to introduce this impactful program into schools, promoting health, confidence and lifelong mobility for the next generation.

To learn more about the program or make a donation, please click on this link.