This online series of forums feature experts in the fields of early childhood development, pediatric health, elementary education, special needs, and public policy.

Panelists and speakers present up-to-date research and discuss field evidence of the many benefits of childhood biking.

Research has demonstrated that bicycling can be transformative for school-age children. Getting outdoors and on a bike provides youngsters a great cardiovascular workout, builds their motor skills, strengthens their immune systems, sharpens their minds, boosts their self-confidence, and elevates their academic performance.

The Health and Education Symposium (HES) also details advances in the physical design of childhood bicycles — and the proven kindergarten curriculum used by the All Kids Bike movement – that allows almost all four to six-year-olds to master the fundamentals of two-wheel bicycling in school without ever requiring outmoded training wheels.

• Dr. Ellen Z. Anderson, associate Professor, Rutgers School of Health Professionals
• Cindy Ireland, Physical Therapist, Douglas and Sturgis (South Dakota) School Districts
• Kent Jacobs, Bicycle Designer and Product Manager, Strider Sports International
• Dr. Andrew Shim, Professor of Kinesiology & Exercise Science, College of Saint Mary
• Dr. Amelia Monteiro, Pediatrician, Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
• Niels Egelund, Professor, Aarhus University in Denmark
• Jill Mays, MS, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, and Author, “Your Child’s Motor Development Story”
• Kimber Parkin, Financial Industry Executive and mother of two young bicyclers
• Jon Synder, Senior Policy Advisor to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
• Matt Konenkamp, Senior Vice President, Cowen Consulting
• Seth Nesselhuf, Director of Community & Sustainability, Quality Bicycle Products
• Matthew Seebaum, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Service, Rapid City Area Schools
• Anne Sluder, Physical Education Teacher, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Wayne Lilly, Senior Director of Development & Outreach, Strider® Education Foundation
• Ryan McFarland, Founder & Chair, All Kids Bike®
• Marilyn Stemp, National Ambassador, All Kids Bike®
• Robert Pandya, National Ambassador, All Kids Bike®
• Moderator: Dean Rotbart, host Monday Morning Radio

The All Kids Bike movement is on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class. A project of the Strider Education Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, AKB is forging a coalition of parents, educators, health care providers, businesses, other nonprofits, and members of the general public.

The Physiology of Early Childhood Biking

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This panel discusses the physical development of toddlers and kindergarteners, including balance and muscle strength. It also examines how exercise improves children’s health, including cardiovascular, motor skills, coordination, weight management, skeletal development, and the immune system.

Panelists:

• Dr. Ellen Z. Anderson, associate Professor, Rutgers School of Health Professionals
• Cindy Ireland, Physical Therapist, Douglas and Sturgis (South Dakota) School Districts
• Kent Jacobs, Bicycle Designer and Product Manager, Strider Sports International
• Dr. Andrew Shim, Professor of Kinesiology & Exercise Science, College of Saint Mary
• Dr. Amelia Monteiro, Pediatrician, Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (59:09)

Moderator: Dean Rotbart, host Monday Morning Radio

The Psychology of Early Childhood Biking

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This session examines the ways that exercise in general, and biking in particular, bolsters the self-confidence and self-esteem of young children, as well as improves their academic performance and socialization skills.

Panelists:

• Niels Egelund, Professor, Aarhus University in Denmark
• Jill Mays, MS, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, and Author, “Your Child’s Motor Development Story” (17:59)
• Kimber Parkin, Financial Industry Executive and mother of two young bicyclers (42:23)

Moderator: Dean Rotbart, host Monday Morning Radio

Public Policy and Bicycling

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This nonpartisan discussion covers the ways government, private businesses, nonprofits, and citizens can work together to help implement the All Kids Bike® program for schools in their cities. It also explains how encouraging kids and adults to bike enriches entire neighborhoods and communities, and is a boon to economic development.

Panelists:

• Jon Synder, Senior Policy Advisor to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
• Matt Konenkamp, Senior Vice President, Cowen Consulting (22:50)
• Seth Nesselhuf, Director of Community & Sustainability, Quality Bicycle Products (37:56)

Moderator: Dean Rotbart, host Monday Morning Radio

Integrating All Kids Bike® into the Primary School Curriculum

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Hear firsthand from educators who’ve embraced the All Kids Bike® program in their schools and districts, and are enthusiastic about the benefits their students receive. This panel covers teacher training, parental participation, legal considerations, and community outreach.

Panelists:

• Matthew Seebaum, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Service, Rapid City Area Schools
• Anne Sluder, Physical Education Teacher, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Wayne Lilly, Senior Director of Development & Outreach, Strider® Education Foundation

Moderator: Dean Rotbart, host Monday Morning Radio

What is the All Kids Bike® Movement and How Can I Help?

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Whether you’re a parent, teacher, administrator, policymaker, or a pro-bike citizen, this session provides a clear overview of the All Kids Bike® movement, and how everyone can contribute to its success.

Panelists:

• Ryan McFarland, Founder & Chair, All Kids Bike®
• Marilyn Stemp, National Ambassador, All Kids Bike®
• Robert Pandya, National Ambassador, All Kids Bike®
• Wayne Lilly, Senior Director of Development & Outreach, Strider® Education Foundation

Moderator: Dean Rotbart, host Monday Morning Radio