With a mission to teach every child in America to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class, All Kids Bike—a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit—is bringing its Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program to NLR 6 Academy of Agricultural & Veterinary Science Elementary School as part of a growing statewide initiative to expand youth access to biking and outdoor recreation opportunities.
This program introduction is part of a broader effort led by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Office of Outdoor Recreation in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Department of Health Minority Health Commission to expand access to biking and outdoor recreation opportunities for children across Arkansas. The initiative aligns with Arkansas’ continued commitment to increasing physical activity, improving access to outdoor recreation, and encouraging healthier lifestyles for children through the Natural State Initiative.
“Teaching kids to ride a bike not only benefits their physical and mental well-being, but also lays the foundation for a lifelong skill that builds confidence, independence, and improved classroom performance,” said Lisa Weyer, executive director of the Strider Education Foundation. “We are incredibly excited to continue expanding the All Kids Bike program across Arkansas through the Natural State Initiative, creating more opportunities for children across the state to experience the joy of riding a bike, stay active, and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”
The ready-to-teach program includes teacher training and certification, comprehensive 8 lesson 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.
NLR 6 Academy of Agricultural & Veterinary Science Elementary School celebrated the introduction of the program with a kickoff event highlighting the statewide initiative and the collective effort to increase opportunities for children to build confidence, stay active, and experience the joy of riding a bike.
“Spending time in nature and enjoying outdoor recreation supports both physical and mental health,” said Shea Lewis, secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “Right now, 131 schools across Arkansas participate in the All Kids Bike Program, meaning more than 13,000 students learn to ride a bike in school every year. We’re excited for this opportunity to partner with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Health and All Kids Bike to expand access to outdoor recreation for even more Arkansans.”
The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program supports the development of the whole child—encouraging emotional growth, cognitive engagement, and social interaction through active, movement-based learning. By introducing biking as in-school education, the program helps build confidence, coordination, and a sense of personal achievement in young students.
At NLR 6 Academy of Agricultural & Veterinary Science Elementary School, the program is expected to positively impact approximately 40 kindergarten students each year by teaching them how to ride a bike in PE class. With equipment that has an expected lifespan of 7 to 10 years, it is estimated that up to 400 students will benefit from this initiative over the next decade.
The statewide expansion builds upon the program’s growing success throughout Arkansas. Schools interested in implementing the program are encouraged to connect with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for application information.