The Power of Physical Education: Why Teaching Kids to Ride Bikes in School Matters More Than Ever
Physical education (PE) plays a far more vital role in a child’s development than many realize. Beyond improving physical fitness, it lays a foundation for mental wellness, cognitive growth, social-emotional development, and lifelong health. And now, with growing momentum behind bike riding in PE classrooms, the benefits are expanding—one pedal stroke at a time.
Why PE Still Matters Today
According to the CDC, only 24% of children ages 6–17 participate in 60 minutes of physical activity each day—the recommended amount for health and development. PE provides structured time to move, learn, and grow. It’s especially important in a world where screen time is increasing and opportunities for active play are decreasing.
Biking, specifically, is emerging as a standout PE activity with long-lasting impact. Not only does it get kids moving, but it also teaches confidence, coordination, and independence—all while being fun.
Physical Activity Boosts Academic Success
Students who are physically active perform better in school. The CDC reports that regular activity improves:
- Concentration
- Memory
- Behavior
- Test scores
In fact, students who participate in daily PE are up to 20% more likely to earn higher grades than their less-active peers. Programs like All Kids Bike, which integrate biking into school PE, offer both immediate and long-term academic benefits.
Why Biking Belongs in Every School’s PE Program
All Kids Bike brings biking directly into the kindergarten PE classroom—teaching children how to ride with a proven curriculum, teacher training, and a full fleet of balance-to-pedal bikes.
Here’s why biking is such a powerful tool in physical education:
1. Improved Physical and Mental Health
Biking strengthens the heart, lungs, and muscles—and releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce stress. It’s also been linked to better sleep and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in children.
2. Early Motor Skill Development
Learning to balance and steer helps young children refine motor planning, coordination, and spatial awareness—skills that support everything from handwriting to sports.
3. Equity and Inclusion
Not every child has the opportunity to learn to ride a bike at home. By teaching it in school, we create equal access to a rite of passage that many take for granted.
4. Reduction in Sedentary Time
The average child spends more than 7 hours a day on screens. Bike-based PE lessons break that cycle and encourage daily movement in a fun, memorable way.
5. Lifelong Impact
Biking is a skill that sticks. Once learned, it opens doors to lifelong health, family outings, active transportation, and community connection.
Social, Emotional, and Academic Benefits of PE with Biking
- Social skills: Biking together fosters teamwork, cooperation, and shared achievement.
- Resilience: Kids experience the joy of perseverance—falling, trying again, and finally pedaling forward on their own.
- Self-confidence: The moment a child pedals solo for the first time is life-changing. It builds belief in their own abilities.
Fast Facts: Why This Matters
- Only 1 in 4 kids gets the recommended daily exercise.
- Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last 30 years.
- Children who are physically active are 15% more likely to report being happy and confident.
- PE time in schools has decreased, despite these benefits.
What Schools Can Do
For Schools:
- Integrate biking into PE: Partner with programs like All Kids Bike to bring balance bikes and structured learn-to-ride lessons to your school.
- Advocate for daily PE: Ensure physical education is prioritized in school schedules.
- Make PE inclusive: Offer activities where every student—regardless of skill or ability—can participate and thrive.
🧍♀️ For Parents:
- Encourage active play: Choose bikes over screens, and ride together as a family.
- Support your school: Help fund or advocate for biking programs in your child’s school.
- Promote healthy habits: Model daily movement, balanced nutrition, and bike safety at home.
🚴 Join the Movement: All Kids Bike
All Kids Bike is a national movement led by the Strider Education Foundation, dedicated to teaching every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE. We provide:
- Curriculum aligned with national PE standards
- Balance-to-pedal bikes and helmets
- Teacher training and ongoing support
Over 1 million kids have already been impacted—and we’re just getting started.
How You Can Help
- Donate to a local school
- Sponsor a program in your district
- Share the mission with your PTA, principal, or local businesses
Together, we can build a healthier, happier future—one bike ride at a time.
Learn more or get involved at AllKidsBike.org