SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (December 13, 2022) — All Kids Bike is on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class. They’re starting in three Salt Lake City School District Elementary Schools; Escalante Elementary, Mary W Jackson Elementary, and Nibley Park School. Funding for this program was graciously made by HDR Foundation, who focuses their efforts on supporting education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship.
“We enjoyed the enthusiasm and teamwork among colleagues assembling the bikes and saw the happy fun and excitement as the young students received the gift and rode the bikes,” said Brent Jensen, HDR’s area manager for Nevada and Utah. “The All Kids Bike program is truly heartwarming and a donation that’s an ongoing investment in our community’s quality of life!”
Lisa Weyer, Executive Director of the Strider Education Foundation explains, “The ability to ride a bike develops physical and mental well-being and instills confidence which can lead to better focus in the classroom. Kindergarten is the perfect age to teach kids to ride a bike focusing on gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. By teaching bike riding at the entry-level in a public school system, we are providing the knowledge and a positive foundation of a lifelong skill.”
The program reveal for all three schools was celebrated at Escalante, where donor representatives were gathered alongside Bryce Williams with Salt Lake City Board of Education, James Yapias with Salt Lake Education Foundation, and Dr. Martin Bates Salt Lake School District Interim Superintendent, and school representatives for the bike delivery to a very excited group of kindergartners! The students were surprised with the bike reveal and were then able to take the new bikes for a spin. This event serves to represent a multi-school gift in which HDR provided a donation of $150,000 to All Kids Bike, designating $18,000 to 3 schools in Salt Lake City, where HDR employees live and work.
At Escalante, Mary W Jackson, and Nibley Park, this program will teach approximately 147 kindergarten students how to ride a bike on an annual basis. With the equipment lifespan of 7-10 years, this will impact up to 1,470 kids over the next decade.
“It was beautiful to experience seeing the smiles on the kids as the bikes were revealed and when they were learning to ride the bikes. That was priceless! I’m so grateful for the generosity and love that HDR has for our kids.” shared Escalante Elementary’s Principal, Haloti Livaa.
