Kindergarten graduates from Otto-Eldred Elementary School are starting off their summer with better bike balance and safety skills, thanks to a new program brought to the school by University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students.

As any parent who’s run behind a child’s two-wheeler knows, teaching young children the balance needed to ride a bike can be challenging. Additionally, children may be afraid of falling and getting hurt or not have a safe space to practice in.

In the spring of 2024, Pitt-Bradford sport and recreation management and hospitality management majors in Dr. Jodi Burns’ capstone class found a program that helps children learn the balance needed to ride and wanted to bring it to a local school.

The Pitt-Bradford students researched the advantages of the program, All Kids Bike, and asked donors to help purchase a full set of bikes for a local school, Otto-Eldred Elementary, where Amanda Davis-Fritzley, assistant professor of health and physical education, had once taught physical education. They convinced two donors, Fred L. Burns Inc., a general contractor in Shippenville, and B&T Building Services Inc. in Bradford, to donate the $8,500 needed.

On a late spring morning, a dozen kindergarteners lined up by a row of little bikes called Striders in the Otto-Eldred gym.

The Striders are small bikes without training wheels or pedals. PE teacher JT Magro has his own larger version on which to demonstrate. This is the third time the children have used the bikes, and they’re making progress quickly, Magro said.

After the children put on their helmets and Magro and a teacher’s aide make sure they’re all on in the right direction (some weren’t), it’s time to review how to put up the kickstand.

The next step is stepping over the bike. After a quick adjustment or two, each child can sit on their bike with their feet firmly on the ground. Where the pedals can attach later, there is a small footrest.

Magro demonstrates how they will “stride” while on the bike, momentarily catching their balance from time to time. Some have the feel of it more than others, but by the end of a series of exercises and a game of red light, green light, all are making progress as they step-step-glide their way across the gym floor – no pushing necessary.

“I love it,” Magro said of the program, which also allows him to drill students in bike safety. “I think it’s a great way to introduce riding a bike to kids.”

He plans to expand the program to first graders, whom he said can still use some practice with balance.

Burns said of her students, “Our capstone students bought into the All Kids Bike mission – to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class.”

Davis said, “Research has shown that teaching children to ride a bike builds self-confidence, reduces stress, increases attention, encourages environmental safety, broadens community involvement, increases physical activity and helps develop a healthier, active lifestyle.”

Pitt-Bradford students who took part were sport and recreation management majors Ashton Beckerink of Jamestown, N.Y., Devin Stowe of Avoca, N.Y., and Noah Wichert of Shinglehouse and hospitality management majors Eileen Doherty of Canadensis and Nicholas Marotta of Lake Mary, Fla.