Youth Education

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We serve dozens of schools and thousands of kids every year, making a direct impact on the health and happiness of our youth that extends to our entire community. Kids become safer, healthier, more confident, and more engaged in the world around them.

Most programs are funded by federal transportation grants from the Mid-America Regional Council and the Missouri & Kansas Departments of Transportation, with matching funds from BikeWalkKC members and several local charitable foundations. Partners may be asked to pay a fee for these programs and services. Priority is given to partners serving under-invested neighborhoods and underserved populations.

BLAST (Bicycle Lesson And Safety Training)

BLAST is a bike safety program designed for youth grades 3-6. Participants will learn helmet fitting, checking a bike for safety, road safety, rules of the road, and how to signal turns. BikeWalkKC provides bikes and helmets that can be used for the duration of the program.

STEP (Safety Training Every Pedestrian)

This program is designed for grades K-6 and uses games and interactive activities to teach youth how to be safe when walking. Participants will learn how to interact with pedestrian infrastructure and how to cross streets, intersections, and parking lots safely.

Learn To Ride

Education instructors teach people of all ages how to ride bikes. We use a very relaxed method that builds confidence and that does not utilize training wheels.

Earn-A-Bike

We can donate gently used bikes that have been repaired by our trained mechanics. We always pair this program with an educational lesson on bike safety, maintenance, or learning how to pedal.

Maintain Your Ride

This hands-on course for both youth and adults teaches participants the parts of a bike and basic maintenance including removing a wheel, adjusting brakes, fixing a flat, chain repair, and much more to keep your bike in top shape! This program can be combined with Earn A Bike.

Bike Club

Bike Club is an 8-9 week program for Middle or High School students. Students will learn how to use biking as a means of transportation in their community and how to ride in a group setting. Group rides increase in distance weekly to build students’ stamina. This program can be combined with Earn A Bike.

Participating Schools

Since 2012 our Youth Education programs have served more than 50,000 students in more than 130 schools and 15 school districts across the region. School districts served include:

  • Center
  • Grandview
  • Hickman Mills
  • Independence
  • Kansas City, KS
  • Kansas City, MO
  • Kearney
  • Lawrence
  • North Kansas City
  • Olathe
  • Park Hill
  • Raytown
  • Shawnee Mission
  • Topeka
  • Turner
  • Charter and Independent Schools: Alta Vista, Citizens of the World, Clay-Platte Montessori, Crossroads Academy, Curé of Ars, Ewing Marion Kauffman School, Horizon Academy, St. Agnes Catholic School