Why Fewer Kids Ride Bikes Today — and What We’re Doing About It

Not long ago, riding bikes was a rite of passage for nearly every kid. The street was the playground, and bikes meant freedom. Today, that has changed — and not for the better. Over the past few decades, there has been a significant decline in the number of children who regularly ride bicycles. Various factors have influenced this trend, and we’re seeing the consequences across health, development, and community connection.

At All Kids Bike, we’re working to turn that around — starting in kindergarten classrooms and reaching kids of all abilities. Here’s why this matters, what’s causing the decline, and most importantly, what we’re doing to get kids back on two wheels.

The Decline of Biking: What’s Going On?

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, between 2014 and 2018, one million fewer kids ages 6 to 17 rode their bikes regularly. The percentage of children biking to school has significantly declined. According to Safe Routes, almost half of the students aged 5–14 regularly biked to school in 1969. By 2009, this figure had decreased to about 13%.

Alongside declining numbers of childhood bike riding, childhood physical activity levels have dropped sharply in recent decades. Only about 20-28% of children engage in 60 minutes of daily physical activity, the recommended amount by health experts.

So What’s Keeping Kids Off Bikes?

Screen time for kids is at an all-time high. Many children spend four to six hours on screens daily, with some studies suggesting even more.
Neighborhood infrastructure has changed. There are fewer sidewalks, more traffic, and fewer safe spaces to ride.
Kids are busier than ever with structured activities, leaving less free play time.
Some kids never learn how to ride a bicycle, so they miss out entirely.

It’s not just about fun — it’s about physical activity for kids, independence, confidence, and long-term well-being. Support All Kids Bike in providing educational programs to schools across the country.

Why Biking Still Matters

Biking isn’t just nostalgic — it’s essential. When kids learn to ride, they develop:

Riding is also a practical form of physical activity that’s accessible and low-cost. Biking daily can help reduce the risk of obesity, improve mental health, and even increase academic performance.

Encourage your child’s love for biking! Explore our resources to get started and provide the tools for a lifelong passion for cycling.

Learning Starts Early — In Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten PE Program puts bikes directly into public schools across the country. We believe learning to ride a bicycle should be part of elementary education, just like learning to read or tie your shoes.

Here’s how the program works:

Strider balance bikes replace the need for bikes with training wheels
Certified curriculum teaches kids how to ride a bicycle confidently
Schools receive everything needed — bikes, helmets, and teacher training
Within weeks, kids who couldn’t balance are riding independently

We’ve already empowered over one million kids, and the results speak for themselves: improved school attendance, sharper focus in the classroom, and more confident, independent learners. Join us today and help bring the life-changing power of biking to even more children across the country.

What You Can Do — Today

The bike may be simple, but getting more kids riding again requires a collective effort. Here’s how you can help:

1. Bring All Kids Bike to Your School

If your child’s school doesn’t offer a learn-to-ride program, you can help get one started. Talk to the principal or PE teacher, share the idea, and advocate for it. You can also support our efforts by helping fund a program or rallying others to get involved.

2. Reduce Screen Time for Kids

It’s not always easy, but it’s important for kids’ health and well-being. Try creating consistent outdoor routines and look for ways to replace passive entertainment with more active, hands-on experiences that get kids moving and exploring.

3. Make Biking Part of Your Family Life

Start with short family bike rides and make it a regular activity. Set a goal to explore a local trail or park once a week. The key is consistency, not the distance — keep it simple and enjoyable to build a lasting habit.

4. Support Safer Streets

Advocate for better bike infrastructure in your neighborhood by pushing for protected bike lanes, safe crosswalks, and slower speed limits on streets. These changes can make biking safer and more accessible for everyone.

The Road Ahead

Although childhood biking has seen a general decline over the last few decades, a sharp rise in youth participation in 2024 offers a promising sign for the future. In fact, more Americans rode bikes in 2024 than ever before, thanks in large part to the biggest surge in youth cycling in decades. This shift suggests that with the right support, education, and infrastructure, we can help a new generation rediscover the joy and freedom of riding a bike.

At All Kids Bike, we believe every child deserves the joy and independence of riding a bike. We’re not just teaching a skill — we’re building healthier futures, one pedal at a time.

We’ve already partnered with over 1,600 schools across all 50 states, but we’re just getting started. Join the movement, spread the word, or make a donation that puts a child on a bike.

All Kids Bike is a national movement dedicated to bringing the mental and physical benefits of bike riding to every person in America. Led by the Strider Education Foundation, a key part of our mission is to make bicycling skills an integral part of kids’ elementary school education. Our Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program provides the curriculum, bikes, and safety equipment needed to teach every kindergartner how to ride — at no cost to the school itself.

All Kids Bike and the Strider Education Foundation depend on generous contributions from the community to do our important work. Consider donating to a school in your area to support our vision of making this milestone skill accessible to children across the country. Contact us to learn more, or check us out on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn!