We all remember learning how to ride a bike. For me, it was one summer evening on the concrete undercover area at my local elementary school. I can still close my eyes and see myself pedalling, wobbly at first, and then triumphantly, without my training wheels for the first time – I did it!
It’s a milestone moment for both parents and kids when a child takes their first solo pedals without training wheels. However, what people remember less are the places a bike takes you after learning how to ride. From school to part-time jobs, extracurricular activities and social gatherings with peers, biking gives kids the independence to reach the world beyond their immediate neighbourhood in meaningful and sometimes life changing ways.
A lack of equitable access to cycling
Unfortunately, too many kids lack the opportunity and access to this rite of passage. Kids from underserved and historically marginalized communities, including those facing gendered, racial and financial barriers, are disproportionately faced with “higher rates of physical inactivity, screen time and poor physical and mental health.” While many kids today still learn to ride, the biggest barrier to regular biking during childhood is lack of bike ownership.
At Pedalheads, we know that not every family can reach our programs, and many kids miss out on the opportunity to learn to ride as a result. Over the years, Pedalheads has run many initiatives to help get more kids riding by running no cost lessons at inner-city schools, donating refurbished bikes, and providing free camps to over 100 families annually through our ongoing bursary and scholarships program. However, we recognized that we could do more to reach more kids in need. Enter Pedalheads+ in 2022.
Bringing Pedalheads bike camps to more kids
Pedalheads+ is our flagship community initiative, bringing high-quality camps, lessons and equipment to kids in underserved communities across North America, at no cost to their families. These learn-to-ride camps run every summer with the objective of giving kids the full experience of attending a Pedalheads camp, something which they otherwise would not be able to access.
In creating Pedalheads+, we recognized that some of the most significant barriers to kids learning how to ride are bike ownership and the accessibility of extracurricular programming within the kids’ neighbourhood. With the help of our local partner organizations, we decided to go where the kids already were and bring our camps to families, right within their communities. “We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to learn to ride,” said Claudia Sjoberg, Pedalheads Founder and CEO.
“Not every kid has a bike. We can provide them equity through giving them those resources–bikes, helmets, locks–and teaching kids how to safely ride and care for their bike. We want them to feel like any other kid who attends our camps.”
However, Pedalheads+ is more than just a free bike, according to Claudia. She feels strongly that to make a real impact, it’s important to do more than just give money. Actively solving kids’ lack of access and treating the communities in which Pedalheads+ operates with respect is vital to the program.
“We have real expertise. We can train really well and allow kids to do things further along in their life. Kids learning these skills develop confidence, independence and a sense of mastery that takes them farther in life than just being able to ride.”
Caption: Pedalheads+ manager giving brand-new bikes to Pedalheads+ campers
Empowering local youth through opportunity
Pedalheads+ also actively hires and trains camp staff from within the communities where our camps run. Local hiring is key to providing youth the chance to develop self-confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills to help them realize their potential beyond camp. Previous staff have gone on to other leadership or recreation jobs that started with working at Pedalheads.
Claudia has seen first-hand the transformation that both new hires and new campers can go through at camp. Many start off nervous and sometimes act out due to doubting their ability. At the end of the program, their sense of accomplishment is a noticeable difference.
“You can see that the kids’ self-perception and how they carry themselves has changed. They’re telling themselves ‘I can do this’ and ‘I’m a person of worth’,” says Claudia.
Impact through partnership
A huge part of the success of Pedalheads+ are our community partners. We collaborate with youth organizations based in the neighbourhoods in which we operate who help find families who would benefit from the program. This year, those organizations include Chicago Youth Centers, Indigenous Sport Council Alberta and Jane/Finch Center, in addition to Canadian Tire and Kozy Bikes, who help us provide the equipment given to Pedalheads+ campers.
In 2024, Pedalheads is running in Chicago, Edmonton and Toronto, where 180 kids will learn to ride for the first time and 12 locally hired camp staff will gain empowerment through work and leadership experience.
We know that there is always more that can be done but believe strongly that Pedalheads+ is a step (or pedal!) in the right direction by giving more kids access to the bike lane and beyond.
Join us and learn more about how you can support Pedalheads+
We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our Pedalheads families. Last year, we raised $28,000 from community donations, in addition to the $70,000 Pedalheads contributed to operate the program. This year, we’re celebrating Pedalheads+ Day each Wednesday at every summer camp location, with the goal of raising $72,000 to directly support the running of more Pedalheads+ camps.
Caption: Two Pedalheads instructors celebrating Pedalheads+ Day at summer bike camp in Vancouver, British Columbia
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