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All Kids Bike presenter urges kindergarten bike training for Fitchburg schools
Summary
A presenter introduced the All Kids Bike (Strider) model that inserts bike-riding into kindergarten PE, reported national program scale and low per-child cost, and discussed next steps to recruit local school champions and funding to pilot the program in Fitchburg-area schools.
A representative of the All Kids Bike/Strider program presented to the Fitchburg Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission about a kindergarten-centered curriculum designed to teach every child to ride a two-wheel bicycle.
Hosts introduced the guest as "Brian," who explained the program’s focus: training teachers, supplying classroom-ready Strider bikes and storage, and embedding five balance lessons plus three pedaling lessons into kindergarten PE. The presenter said the program operates in nearly 2,000 schools nationwide and is structured so that typical elementary enrollments (roughly 100 kindergarteners per school) can be served for a ten-year program at a cost the presenter described as under $10 per child over the full lifecycle of equipment and training.
The presenter framed the need as a long-term decline in childhood bicycling and rising screen-driven sedentary behavior, arguing that early, universal exposure in schools yields better learning outcomes and participation than attempting to teach older children. He described the program’s scaling model: schools apply, the foundation lists schools needing support on its site, and donors or matching grants (corporate and private foundations) can fund installations; the presenter cited examples of corporate donors and foundation support used to jumpstart school adoption elsewhere.
Local commissioners asked about whether the program operated in Fitchburg-area districts and how to finance an initial installation. Commissioners reported Verona has a comparable program in place and identified barriers to wider adoption (multiple school districts serving the city and funding challenges). The presenter suggested the next steps would be: (1) local school champions or principals indicate formal interest, (2) the school applies, and (3) the foundation can match donors or advise on crowdfunding pages to support equipment and teacher training. The presenter offered a local foundation contact (Lisa Wires, executive director) and a school specialist who would handle logistics if a school applies.
Quote highlights
"Learning to ride a bike is the most important skill a kid could learn in kindergarten PE," the presenter said, describing how the curriculum engages students and often motivates broader school participation.
“Every single kid goes through the program, graduates every kindergarten kid knowing how to ride a bike,” the presenter said, explaining the classroom structure and equipment provided.
What this means
The program offers a low-cost, teacher-led model that commissioners said merits outreach to local school leaders (Verona, Leopold, Stoner Prairie/Forest Edge and private Eagle School were mentioned) to determine interest, identify a champion (principal or PE teacher), and pursue funding. Staff and commissioners volunteered to contact local school leaders and the Bike League to explore district-level adoption and grant possibilities.
