Pershing kindergarten students got a chance to exercise their legs on Wednesday thanks to a national program called “All Kids Bike.” Spokesperson Lauren Tadlock says they are on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten P.E. classes.
The school was presented with 24 Strider bikes during a morning ceremony. “There’s pedal conversion kits, helmets and one teacher instruction bike.” There is also an eight step learn-to-ride curriculum.
Omaha based HDR donated $150,000 to “All Kids Bike,” designating $18,000 to three schools in Nebraska, including Pershing. “Only one out of four kids in America will get on a bike this year students,” says spokesman Rex Fisher. “It’s transportation, it’s physical activity, it’s a lot of things we need more of for our kids nowadays.”
The bikes will only be used in the gymnasium which will allow them to be used year around. Tadlock says the bikes will last up to ten years and it’s estimated nearly 750 students will benefit from the bike program.
Governor Jim Pillen hopped on the instructor’s bike and joined students for a ride around the gymnasium.
