BALTIMORE, MD, September 5, 2024 – All Kids Bike, the national 501(c)(3) nonprofit teaching kindergarten students how to ride bikes in PE class, is activating their All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program in the Baltimore City Public School District, thanks to a generous donation from Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Cole Irvin.
The comprehensive program includes teacher training and certification, 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. Walter P. Carter Elementary School celebrated the introduction of the program with a kickoff event alongside pitcher Cole Irvin, the Orioles Bird mascot, and All Kids Bike representatives, who had the opportunity to build the bikes for the program beforehand.
This is the second All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program that has been donated through Cole Irvin’s efforts. He stated, “I’m really excited we are able to give back to a city that has provided me such an amazing platform. We always pray for God to use us, wherever we are, and through All Kids Bike, we are able to make a direct impact in the lives of children. This is my thank you to Baltimore. Last year with our first bike drop we were able to see the long standing impact a program like this can have on a community and planning for a second school has been just as rewarding. We hope to continue this effort and we are so thankful for Strider Bikes and their support through All Kids Bike. I know this program will bring them so much joy for years to come.”
“Both baseball and learning to ride a bike teach kids important life skills such as perseverance, balance, and confidence,” said Lisa Weyer, Executive Director of the Strider Education Foundation. “With the support of Cole Irvin and the Baltimore Orioles, we are excited to bring the foundational experience of bike riding to more children, empowering them to lead active and healthy lives.”
At Walter P. Carter Elementary School, this program will positively impact approximately 45 kindergarten students each year by teaching them how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class. With a lifespan of 7-10 years for the equipment, it is estimated that up to 450 students will benefit from this initiative over the next decade.
“Witnessing the joy on our students’ faces as they receive these bicycles is truly heartwarming,” said Joseph Eldridge, Principal of Walter P. Carter Elementary. “This generous donation from Cole Irvin and the Baltimore Orioles not only provides our kids with the means to explore and stay active, but it also reminds them that their dreams and goals are supported by their community.”
Cole Irvin, the Baltimore Orioles, and All Kids Bike are committed to enriching the lives of young learners and cultivating valuable skills through the joy of bike riding. This collaborative effort exemplifies their dedication to building healthier, happier communities, one pedal at a time.
