Pedaling Toward Success: National All Kids Bike Program Reaches Statesville Students, Promoting Physical and Academic Development

Dale Jr. Foundation Gifts Celeste Henkel Elementary a Learn-To-Ride Bicycle Program: A Powerful Investment In Our Youth’s Health And Future

STATESVILLE, N.C. – With a mission to teach every child in America to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class, All Kids Bike-a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit-is bringing its Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program to Celeste Henkel Elementary School thanks to a generous donation from the Dale Jr. Foundation.

“Learning to ride a bike is a milestone that builds confidence, independence, and a lifelong love for being active,” said Lisa Weyer, executive director of the Strider Education Foundation. “We’re grateful for the continued support of the Dale Jr. Foundation and their commitment to helping more kids experience that moment when they find their balance and take off riding. With their support over the years, more kindergarten students are gaining the skills and confidence to get rolling-both on and off the bike.”

The ready-to-teach program includes teacher training and certification, comprehensive 8 lesson curriculum with lesson plans, games and activities, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, fully adjustable student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet, two rolling storage racks, and access to a resource portal with live support for the life of the program. Celeste Henkel Elementary celebrated the introduction of the program with a kickoff event alongside Dale Jr. Foundation attendees, who had the opportunity to build the bikes for the program beforehand.

“The Dale Jr. Foundation is proud to partner with All Kids Bike to bring the Learn-to-Ride Program to kindergarten students at Celeste Henkel Elementary. We recognize the vital role of physical education in early development and are excited to provide students with the confidence and independence that come from learning to ride a bicycle,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Vice President of The Dale Jr. Foundation.

The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program supports the development of the whole child-encouraging emotional growth, cognitive engagement, and social interaction through active, movement-based learning. By introducing biking as in-school education, the program helps build confidence, coordination, and a sense of personal achievement in young students.

At Celeste Henkel Elementary, the program is expected to positively impact approximately 70 kindergarten students each year by teaching them how to ride a bike in PE class. With equipment that has an expected lifespan of 7 to 10 years, it is estimated that up to 700 students will benefit from this initiative over the next decade.

The Dale Jr. Foundation and All Kids Bike share a commitment to help children reach a key developmental milestone while gaining a skill that promotes lifelong fitness, independent transportation, and emotional well-being. Every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of two wheels-and this partnership makes that possible.