A national organization that works to help kids learn to ride bicycles at a young age is coming to Ballard Elementary in Niles.
Non-profit All Kids Bike helps schools set up bike programs in their physical education classes. Spokesperson Nichole Buchholz tells us a $9,000 grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative will now bring All Kids Bike to Ballard’s kindergarten classes.
“Our program contains teacher training and curriculum, a full fleet of learn to ride equipment including 24 balance to pedal bikes, fully adjustable helmets, two metal rolling storage racks to house all of that student equipment, a teacher instruction bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet,” Buchholz said.
The program will be supported by All Kids Bike for the next seven to ten years. The PE teachers at the school will now get certified through the All Kids Bike program to begin instructing their students.
Buchholz says All Kids Bike believes all kindergarten students should learn the joys of pedaling.
“It helps them increase their confidence, reduces stress, it provides better focus so that all throughout school, not just during gym class but also during math and English they have better focus and they’re more successful.”
Ballard Elementary celebrated the introduction of the program with a kickoff event alongside Yamaha attendees this week.
Ballard Principal Jennifer Shabazz says the All Kids Bike program will be a game changer for the students, helping to “inspire excitement and a sense of adventure,” benefitting the kids both inside and outside the classroom.
