Riding a bike is not just for spring or summer, as hundreds of children and their families proved Saturday at the Learn to Ride event at Berewick Recreation Center. More than 200 participants — at least 175 of them children – picked-up a great new life skill using the proven “balance bike” method.
It’s the biggest crowd Learn to Ride has seen during a winter month, says Learn to Ride co-founder, Dick Winters.
“It was HUGE,” remarked Winters. “This was the first time we’ve done it in February, and by 11 a.m., the parking lot was full!”
The day was blessed by warmer weather and cheerful volunteers, and Winters believes Learn to Ride is really hitting its stride as it begins its seventh year.
The nonprofit, 100% volunteer program tries to sponsor at least one event with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation in January, knowing a lot of families will be getting new bicycles during the holidays. This year, the first event of 2020 kicked off February instead. And yes, adults could learn to ride their new bikes, too.
“It warmed our hearts years ago when adults started asking where they could go to learn to ride,” says Winters. Fellow co-founders DC Lucchesi and Ben Cooley looked at each other and told them, “You can come here!”
Even folks who don’t have bikes can Learn to Ride using the program’s loaner bikes. Helmets are available for participants who don’t have one.
“Getting people on bikes is how we’re going to keep growing the Charlotte cycling community,” adds Cooley, who own’s Bicycle Sport. “The more people on bikes, the easier, safer, and more convenient cycling is going to be for everyone– and the more good things will come from that.”
Volunteer Christine Weber helps kids get their helmets on just right — usually the first stop as kids line up to learn. She loves sharing the joy of discovery with other members of the cycling community as they come together to teach a skill they’re passionate about. Weber couldn’t believe how many people were in line just a few minutes into the event, and she says it only gets better from there.
“I think my favorite part is when I see a kid completely transformed — when they are riding that bike in circles with confidence!” she exclaimed. “It’s so much fun to know that their life is forever changed. You never unlearn that skill.”
Longtime volunteer Stephen Fox, who also leads the charity bike team at Unknown Brewing, loves seeing kids get the hang of riding by themselves for the first time.
“It’s the best! There’s nothing better than teaching a kid how to ride a bike,” says Fox, who assists Learn to Ride wherever they need him — including bringing donuts and coffee for volunteers. Usually, he adjusts helmets, pumps up bike tires, or — his favorite — helps kids get rolling.
“It’s a great opportunity to grow the cycling community,” he says. “When you teach a kid to ride a bike, you open up their world. They can get a job, go places — and it introduces them to a community that’s the best.”
Winters is delighted that word is getting out about the successful Learn to Ride events, which have now taught thousands of children of all ages how to develop the important life skill of riding a bike. Raleigh is developing its own Learn to Ride event, and inquiries have come in from Greensboro and Cashiers, in the NC mountains.
“The numbers of people are just knocking my riding shoes off!” declared Winters. He welcomes anyone who needs to learn, to come out to one of four remaining events this year:
March 28 – MLK Middle School
May 2 – Arbor Glen Recreation Center
August 8 – Marion Diehl Recreation Center
October 24 – Arbor Glen Recreation Center
You can read more about Learn to Ride on its website at LearntoRideClt.com, or its facebook page at http://facebook.com/LearntoRideClt
Learn to Ride Brings Cycling to all Ages