Fredstrom students learn to ride bikes thanks to grant

Students at Fredstrom Elementary School are benefitting from a grant-funded national program called All Kids Bike, whose mission is to teach every kindergartner to ride a bike in physical education class.

Through the program, Fredstrom received enough bikes and helmets for P.E. teacher Kenny Cope to complete an entire unit on how to ride a bike. The program uses Strider Bikes, a balance bike that helps riders gain confidence and learn the necessary skills before installing pedals.

“One of the things we talk about are lifetime skills and lifetime movements,” Cope said. “You can stay physically active throughout your lifetime. We’re trying to teach life skills and that they can be physically active all the time. Bike riding is a great lifetime physical activity.”

He said the students have reacted very positively to the bike-riding unit.

“I just had a girl crying because she didn’t want to leave; she wanted to keep riding her bike,” he said.

The students also have been very supportive of their classmates, regardless of their skill level.

“You have kids who are really great bikers right now and some that are just now beginning,” he said, “but they’re all really willing to work with each other.”

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