Exploring Adult and Youth Participation

According to PeopleForBikes’ 2022 U.S. Bicycling Participation Report, 66% of U.S. adults did not ride a bicycle in the past year, with 14% having never ridden a bike at all. Among youth aged 3-17, there has been a gradual decline in bicycling trends since 2016, with about 49% riding a bike at least once in 2022.

Battling Declining Youth Ridership

The Role of Riding For Focus

Riding For Focus (R4F), Outride’s middle-school-based bicycle education program is combatting this trend by providing schools with bikes, helmets, teacher training, and a comprehensive bike education curriculum. Outride’s research indicates that 10-20% of middle school students did not know how to ride a bike before R4F, but 91% expressed interest in continuing to ride after the program.

Expanding Reach and Impact

New R4F Grant Recipients

Outride recently awarded grants to 55 new R4F recipients, bringing the program to nearly 300 schools across North America. Grounded in research showcasing the positive effects of bicycling on youth’s social, emotional, and cognitive health, R4F aims to empower students and enhance their well-being.

Promoting Physical and Mental Health

Benefits Beyond Riding

Heart rate tracking during R4F classes reveals that students achieve nearly half of their recommended daily physical activity levels. Moreover, participating students report reduced screen time, higher well-being, and increased interest in riding bikes outside of school, particularly with friends.

 Addressing Inequities and Promoting Access

Equitable Distribution of Resources

Outride prioritizes R4F grants for schools in communities with high rates of free or reduced-price lunches, aiming to tackle systemic inequalities and ensure all youth have access to the benefits of bicycling. As Riding for Focus Program Manager Lauren Freeman emphasizes, empowering youth through biking is essential in addressing their challenges.

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