Boston continues push for cycling growth by offering free bike riding lessons for kids

In an effort to promote physical activity and community connectivity among the city’s young residents, Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu, in collaboration with Boston Parks and Recreation, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, and the Office of Early Childhood, has launched the Connect, Learn, Explore: Boston’s Commitment to Youth initiative. This initiative underscores Mayor Wu’s dedication to making Boston an ideal city for raising a family.

The City has teamed up with Highland Street Foundation and several other local organizations to offer free bicycle instruction at 15 different locations across Boston, targeting children aged four to 13. Through this endeavor, Mayor Wu envisions every child in Boston learning to ride a bike, swim, and deeply engage with their community via sports, arts, and gardening activities.

“Biking isn’t just a recreation; it’s an essential life skill, ensuring mobility and independence,” said Wu. “Every child should have a chance to acquire it.” Council President Ed Flynn echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of biking as a life skill comparable to swimming, and urged the youth to benefit from the program.”

This summer, nearly 300 youths will benefit from the biking lessons being held in three Boston parks: Almont Park, East Boston Stadium, and White Stadium. Plans are in motion to extend this program to all five summer sports centers in the city by next year, reaching an impressive 500 children annually across Boston.

Thanks to a substantial contribution from the Highland Street Foundation’s Let’s Get Rolling Initiative, 11 more early childhood locations will benefit. This initiative has funded the provision of new bikes, biking instruction, and site coordination. The combined efforts of all involved parties mean that hundreds of children will have access to biking instruction both during the school year and summer.

Highland Street Foundation’s Executive Director, Blake Jordan, stressed the importance of community involvement in ensuring all children have the opportunity to enjoy biking.

Further support comes from Boston Children’s Hospital and Project KidSafe, who have donated helmets to ensure the safety of all participants across the 15 citywide locations. Kristin McSwain, Director of the Office of Early Childhood, emphasized the importance of safety, expressing gratitude for the helmet donations.

This biking initiative is one of many in Mayor Wu’s broader Connect, Learn, Explore program.

Wu was elected in 2021 with bicycles front-and-center in her campaign and upon her election set to work on a plan to create a citywide network that would put each and every Bostonian within three minutes of a protected bike lane.