How to launch an inclusive learn-to-ride bike camp
For many people, learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage. It’s a skill that gives them freedom and opens up the world to exploration and independence. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), however, that milestone can often feel inaccessible. The All Abilities Bike Inclusive Learn-to-Ride Camp is changing that narrative, one confident stride at a time.
All Abilities Bike is a program led by the Strider Education Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a goal of inspiring confidence, independence, and joy through two-wheeled mobility. Its inclusive learn-to-ride camp empowers participants from age 8 through adulthood to experience the freedom of two wheels, using a step-by-step, confidence-building method. With trained instructors, balance-to-pedal transition bikes, and small-group sessions, the program provides more than a recreational outlet. It’s a vehicle—literally and figuratively—for inclusion, independence, and joy. Camp directors and parks and recreation leaders can help bring this life-changing program to their community.
Why An Inclusive Bike Camp Matters
Learning to ride a bike is about much more than engaging in physical fitness. It’s a gateway to freedom, confidence, and connection. For individuals with IDD, mastering this skill can be truly transformative, opening new avenues for independence, social participation, and emotional well-being.
“It has given my autistic students the opportunity to learn a lifetime skill that they can participate in with their families, neighbors, and friends,” says Erika Seamon, an Adapted PE teacher at Exton Elementary. Jeff Prendergast, Health Program Manager for Special Olympics Minnesota, echoes that sentiment: “It just opens up a whole different world of opportunities for them, not only for their overall health but also their emotional connection with friends and family.”
That emotional impact can’t be overstated. The moment a rider realizes he or she has accomplished something once considered out of reach is often life-changing. “Sharing videos with parents who never thought they would see their child ride a bike is priceless,” Seamon says.
At Quincy Public Schools in Illinois, physical therapist Ruth Rosenkrans recalls a particularly powerful experience: “My favorite moment this spring was when one of the third-grade students transitioned from gliding to using the pedal kit on the 20-inch bike. He just kept going around and around saying, ‘My mom is going to be so proud.’”
Beyond the emotional benefits, biking also offers real-world utility as a form of transportation. A child or adult who can confidently ride a bike can triple mobility. Suddenly, a one-mile walking radius becomes a three-mile riding radius. That expanded reach makes a tangible difference, whether it's getting to the grocery store, meeting up with friends, or commuting to a job. It all adds up to greater autonomy and self-sufficiency.
The physical benefits are just as important. Riding a bike builds balance and coordination, strengthens motor skills, supports cardiovascular health, and can aid in sensory integration—areas in which individuals with IDD often face challenges.
Kelsey Egan, Director of Participant Volunteer Services at Black Hills Works, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities, has seen those benefits in action. “The program was not only fun and engaging, but also empowering and transformative,” she says. “The participants showed incredible determination, courage, and joy as they overcame their fears and challenges.”
What Camp Looks Like
The All Abilities Bike camp is designed for individuals from age 8 through adulthood with IDD. Over 10 progressive lessons, instructors who have been trained and certified in the camp’s proven curriculum take riders through the entire learn-to-ride process on Strider Bikes. The bikes are designed to convert from balance bikes to pedal bikes with a special pedal-conversion kit, allowing riders to build confidence by progressing from striding to gliding before ultimately mastering pedaling. Each session is capped at 8–10 participants to ensure individualized attention, and the instructors are also equipped with the patience and adaptability needed to meet a range of learning needs.
Camp registration costs $975, which covers the camp fee ($475), as well as the bike and equipment ($500). Each camper receives a 20x Strider balance-to-pedal bike, fully adjustable helmet, and pedal kit, all of which are theirs to keep after the program.
Program directors and educators who have implemented the Inclusive Learn-to-Ride Camp consistently praise its effectiveness and emotional impact. “It was amazing to see the progress they made in just a few sessions… riding confidently and independently,” says Egan. Seamon shared that all her students strode and glided, and nearly 25 of her 40 participating students pedaled by the end of the program, which she called “awesome.” Directors highlight not only the skill development but the joy, pride, and sense of accomplishment the camp brings to participants and their families. At Black Hills Works, one adult participant was so elated by learning to ride for the first time, “he just kept going and going—smiling the whole time,” says Carrie Moser, Director of Engagement. “That is an experience this man will treasure always.”
Building A Successful Inclusive Learn-to-Ride Program
For leaders interested in bringing an inclusive learn-to-ride camp to an organization, All Abilities Bike makes it easy to get started and to promote the camp, making the experience essentially plug-and-play. The All Abilities Bike team will work with an organization to create online camp registration pages and collect all registration fees. Of course, it also provides the bikes and equipment, as well as the curriculum, training, and certification. To spread the word, All Abilities Bike can create promotional materials like QR codes, flyer templates, and social media verbiage for easy sharing.
All Abilities Bike is currently working with pilot sites to roll out its Inclusive Learn-to-Ride Camps. If camp or park leaders would like to bring the camp to a community and open the world of biking to riders of all abilities, the following are a few practical strategies that successful directors have found helpful when launching their programs:
1. Environment Matters
Start by selecting the right environment. A flat, open area, such as a school gymnasium or blacktop, a quiet park, or a sectioned-off bike path, works best for new riders. Prioritize accessibility, including parking, restrooms, and seating areas. Provide shaded rest areas and sensory-friendly zones to support participants who may become overstimulated. Minimizing noise and distractions can go a long way in helping riders stay focused and feel safe.
2. Funding
As noted above, each participant’s enrollment cost is $975, which includes a Strider balance-to-pedal bike, conversion kit, helmet, and 10 sessions with trained instructors (who receive $400 per rider in compensation). While this comprehensive package is a strong value, it may require creative budgeting. Seek funding through adaptive recreation grants, local business sponsorships, and partnerships with disability advocacy groups. Highlighting the long-term value—independence, mobility, and social inclusion—can strengthen a funding pitch.
3. Promote Inclusively
Clear, inclusive communication is key to finding new riders. Use person-first language in all materials and emphasize that no prior biking experience is necessary. Reach out to schools, therapy clinics, and family-resource centers to connect with families who may benefit from the program.
4. Host A Pre-Camp Orientation
Build trust and ease anxiety by holding an orientation session for participants and families. Let riders try their equipment, meet instructors, and become familiar with the space before the first official lesson. This small step can reduce first-day jitters and increase long-term engagement.
What Makes The Program Work
The strength of the All Abilities Bike Camp lies in its structure and flexibility. Successful program directors focus on three key elements:
- Celebrate Every Milestone: Whether it’s the rider’s first time lifting their feet to glide or they finally pedal independently, every bit of progress deserves recognition.
- Customize The Experience: No two riders learn the same way. Build flexibility into the program to accommodate varied learning styles and needs. Some may need visual schedules; others may thrive with peer buddies or frequent breaks.
- Support The Whole Family: Involving parents and caregivers enhances the experience for everyone. Encourage them to attend sessions, cheer on progress, and help with follow-up practice at home.
A Path To Inclusion
Launching an All Abilities Bike camp is about more than bicycles. It’s about granting access to a fundamental life experience and all the benefits that come with it. It’s about creating inclusive spaces where confidence can grow, friendships can form, and barriers are replaced with bridges.
If leaders are ready to bring that kind of transformation to a community, this program is for them. For more information, visit https://allabilitiesbike.org/.
