- March 18th – Hickory Grove Rec Center
- May 13th – McClintock Middle School
- August 12th – MLK Jr Middle School
- October 28th – Berewick Recreation Center
Learn to Ride Voted Best Kids’ Ride
Endurance Magazine Awards
Looks like the secret’s out! Endurance Magazine readers voted Learn to Ride as Charlotte’s “Best Kids Ride.” The December issue lists readers’ favorite retailers, events, workout spots, and restaurants that support a healthy, active lifestyle.
Over five unique events this past year alone, Learn to Ride volunteers have taught hundreds of kids (of all ages) to ride a bicycle using the “balance bike” method. Events are held in school parking lots and tracks at Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation facilities.
“We are about having children and adults experiencing all aspects of recreation,” said Jim Garges, director of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. “Learning to ride a bike is fundamental to that purpose… Teaching children to ride is of course about fun, but it’s also about health and safety. Ride on!!”
Learn to Ride is a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer series of events to grow Charlotte’s cycling community, one new cyclist at a time. Learn to Ride is made possible by founders Bicycle Sport, Trips for Kids’ ReCyclery – Charlotte, and well-run media + marketing, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Mecklenburg County Public Health, and support from Unknown Bike and Brew and Crank Mafia cycling clubs, and dozens of volunteers.
The next Learn to Ride event is scheduled for Saturday, January 7, 2017 at McClintock Middle School. Find out more about the program and www.learntorideCLT.com.
So, what’s this Learn to Ride thing all about anyway?
Simply put, it’s the story of something that started simply in an effort to grow Charlotte’s cycling community, one new rider at at time. Thanks to the support of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Mecklenburg County Public Health, Unknown Bike & Brew, Crank Mafia, our partners, and volunteers, Learn to Ride is doing just that. Attracting hundreds of eager riders, family, and friends at each event, Learn to Ride provides a safe, fun, free, and all-ages opportunity to learn a skill that will last a lifetime.
Next “Learn to Ride” Event Set for November
Ready to ditch those training wheels? Now’s the time to Learn to Ride and enjoy all the benefits that come from riding a bike! Health, freedom, exploration, fun – they’re all yours on a bike. Kids of all ages (yes, that means grown-ups, too!) can learn to ride a bicycle using the tried-and-true “balance bike” method at this FREE, and open-to-everyone opportunity!
WHAT: Learn To Ride
WHO: Kids, adults, or any person who doesn’t yet know how to ride a bike
WHERE: Marion Diehl Rec Center, 2219 Tyvola Road CLT 28210
RAIN LOCATION: 932 Siegle Ave. CLT 28205
WHEN: Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 11AM to 1PM
WHY: Because everyone needs to know how to ride a bike!
The event is geared to kids (of all ages!) and parents of kids, who want to learn to ride a bicycle without training wheels. Parents should bring their kids, their kids’ bikes and helmets. We’ll walk the soon-to-be-riders through the process, which is to sign in, check bike and helmet fit, remove training wheels and pedals, and lower the seat so the rider can stand comfortably over the bike. We’ll show them how to “walk” the bike using their feet, progressing from halting steps to longer strides, and eventually lifting their feet and coasting…all the while gaining the sensation of what it feels like to balance on a moving bike! When the time’s right, we’ll reinstall the pedals – and turn this “balancing act” into practice with the pedals in motion!
Learn to Ride is a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer series of events to grow Charlotte’s cycling community one new cyclist at a time. Learn to Ride is made possible in partnership with Bicycle Sport, Trips for Kids Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and Public Health, and support from Sustain Charlotte, and well-run media + marketing.
Learn to Ride events draw more than 150 participants, friends, and family, and require LOTS of volunteers! It’s fun, easy to do, incredibly rewarding – and zero bike experience is required. If you’d like to be a part of an amazing afternoon, please follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044daeaa22a5fa7-november
For more information about Learn to Ride, check out our website: http://learntorideclt.com, contact Dick Winters with the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department at 980-314-9067 or Dick.Winters@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov, or message us on Facebook.
Next “Learn to Ride” Event Coming in August
Get ready to ride! Here’s your chance to learn to ride a two-wheeler. Kids of all ages (yes, that means grown-ups, too!) can learn to ride a bicycle using the tried-and-true “balance bike” method. This is a FREE opportunity to learn a skill that will last a lifetime!
WHAT: Learn To Ride
WHO: Kids, adults, or any person who doesn’t yet know how to ride a bike
WHERE: Waddell Language Academy outdoor track, 7030 Nations Ford Road, CLT 28217
RAIN LOCATION: 932 Siegle Ave. CLT 28205
WHEN: Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 11AM to 1PM
WHY: Because everyone needs to know how to ride a bike!
The event is geared to kids (of all ages!) and parents of kids, who want to learn to ride a bicycle without training wheels. Parents should bring their kids, their kids’ bikes and helmets. We’ll walk the soon-to-be-riders through the process, which is to sign in, check bike and helmet fit, remove training wheels and pedals, and lower the seat so the rider can stand comfortably over the bike. We’ll show them how to “walk” the bike using their feet, progressing from halting steps to longer strides, and eventually lifting their feet and coasting…all the while gaining the sensation of what it feels like to balance on a moving bike! When the time’s right, we’ll reinstall the pedals – and turn this “balancing act” into practice with the pedals in motion!
Learn to Ride is a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer series of events to grow Charlotte’s cycling community one new cyclist at a time. Learn to Ride is made possible in partnership with Bicycle Sport, Trips for Kids – Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and support from Sustain Charlotte, and well-run media + marketing.
For more information about Learn to Ride, check out our website: learntorideclt.com, contact Dick Winters with the Mecklenburg County Health Department at 980-314-9067 or Dick.Winters@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov, or message us on Facebook. To volunteer, visit: http://learntorideclt.com/volunteer.