Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1531887
Villopoto, Yamaha Help Kindergartners Learn to Ride I t's no secret that kids today don't play outdoors as much as they used to. The reasons are varied, but the end result is less healthy activity, increased levels of obesity and associated diseases, and even poorer class - room performance. One activity that can be fun and enjoyed for a lifetime is rid - ing two-wheelers, whether they be bicycles or motorcycles. And the earlier that one is introduced to life on two wheels, the longer they can enjoy it. That's where All Kids Bike comes in. This program—started in 2017 via Strider Bikes' Strider Education Program—aims to introduce kindergartners to two wheels via easy-to-ride Strider bikes to be incorporated into physical education (PE) classes, with the $9000 program provid - ed to schools via donations, fun- draisers or outright purchases by individual schools. Yamaha is one of the do- nors, as the program dovetails nicely with its Outdoor Access Initiative, and several Yamaha representatives recently visited the Elbert Edwards Elementary School in Las Vegas to present its kindergarten class with 24 Strider bikes. Among the reps was brand ambassador Ryan Villopoto. Villopoto said, "Getting them on bikes early, learning to bal - ance—and once you learn how to ride a bicycle, you never lose that—but that's a thing that kids today aren't getting enough of: being outdoors or getting out on a bicycle, even if they never ride a motorcycle." With two local television sta - tions covering the presentation, Villopoto and the other Yamaha representatives, along with All Kids Bike personnel and school staff, gave the kindergartners their first taste of what it's like to ride. Some had previous bicycle experience, but for most, this was the first time they'd had the opportunity to try it. While tentative, it was clearly evident that the kids were excited to try something new. The school now has 24 Strider bikes (as well as 24 helmets plus rolling storage racks) that it can incorporate into its kindergarten PE program from now on. All Kids Bike is active in all 50 states, with more than 1000 schools taking part. The pro - gram reaches over 100,000 kids annually. Besides Villopoto, All Kids Bike National Ambassadors include many faces familiar to motorcycle racing enthusiasts, like J.D. Beach, Kristen Beat, Josh Hayes, Jared Mees, An - drew Short and Cody Webb. For more information, visit www. allkidsbike.org. CN WIND IN THE P34 (Above) Ryan Villopoto introduces himself to the kindergarten class of Elbert Edwards Elementary School in Las Vegas. They were excited to try the Strider bikes after being presented with the All Kids Bike program, courtesy of Yamaha. (Right) Villopoto helps one kindergartner take her first ride on two wheels. The bikes will be incorporated into the school's kindergarten PE program, with the aim to introduce them to a fun, healthy outdoor activity they can enjoy for a lifetime.