“It was life-changing!”: Learning to ride with Bicycle Colorado
When was the last time you thought about how much you love riding a bike? Probably the last time you rode. But when was the last time you thought about how lucky you are to know how to ride? One of the most rewarding programs Bicycle Colorado offers is our Learn to Ride lessons, through which we’ve helped more than 400 kids and adults learn to balance and pedal over the last four years.
Before we share the impact of Learn to Ride, we need to give a big shout out to our program supporters who make the lessons possible. We have Team Evergreen Cycling as a lead sponsor in 2019 and 2020, substantially supporting our program operations. CLIF BAR has fueled our new riders with snacks and Quality Bicycle Products has donated accessories over the last two years. Finally, the City of Arvada, Alchemy Bicycles and Elevation Cycles have partnered with us to provide safe places for our students to learn.
Check out some photos from our 2019 Learn to Ride lessons
2019 was our biggest Learn to Ride season yet. We were able to offer a third location in Highlands Ranch and teach more than 130 students—twice as many as our first year in 2016!
2019 Learn to Ride by the numbers:
- 83 youth taught in 11 lessons (7 sold out!)
- 49 adults taught in 7 lessons (5 sold out!)
- Students traveled from far and wide, including all the way from Colorado Springs!
- 30% of students had previously attempted to ride a bike “a lot” without success
- 93% of students were happy or very happy with their Learn to Ride experience
- 90% of students were satisfied or very satisfied with our educators and volunteers
- 90% of students were pedaling by the end of their first lesson (students who don’t get pedaling are always invited to join a second lesson at no cost)
- 88% of students are now riding at least once a month for fun, for exercise and even to commute!
- 100% of participants have or would recommend Bicycle Colorado’s Learn to Ride lessons to friends or family
Ready to smile?
We just can’t do our students’ stories justice so we invite you to read these testimonials about their experiences. We bet you’ll be grinning and remembering the power of learning to ride for the first time. We’re proud of our fantastic educators and staff, quick technique and life-changing impacts … and, of course, these courageous new riders!
Meet Earl!
Earl joined us this summer to get back on the bike for the first time since crashing and feeling anxiety riding. Earl conquered the lesson with his prosthetic leg and is now one of our most passionate supporters. Earl even dropped by our booth at this year’s VeloSwap to tell us about the impact our Learn to Ride lesson had on him.
“You guys saved my life,” Earl told us. “You don’t know what it’s meant to me to be able to ride again.” Stay tuned for Earl’s incredible full story and post-lesson adventures in a 2020 blog post.
Want to help spread the joy of riding?
- Sign up to volunteer with us next season
- Share our interest form with friends and family who are eager to learn
- Purchase a Learn to Ride voucher for a friend or family member to ride with us in 2020
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COMMENTS (2)
Andrea Ledesma -
Are you still doing group lessons? If not do you happen to have a re commendation? I’m 57 and I want to learn to road cycle. I know how to ride a bike but am unstable on it now. I need lessons and if the road.
Ashley Vander Meeden -
Hi Andrea, thanks for reaching out We are in the process of revamping our education program. We appreciate the feedback.