CYCLE Kids Improves Nutrition Through the Excitement of Riding a Bike

by Cameron St. Germain

Part of the Food Policy Community Spotlight Series

What they do: The CYCLE Kids program breaks the cycle of inactivity, poor nutrition habits, social isolation, and low self-esteem. It helps kids, families and teachers get back to the basics of fitness with fun, simple, sustainable skills they can take with them throughout the rest of their lives. In addition to engaging children in physical activity, they also stress the importance of making healthy dietary choices. This includes educating students about portion control, “once in awhile” foods, and the importance of fruits and vegetables.

How they do it: The CYCLE Kids Program is a 2-year curriculum for 4th and 5th grade students that can be implemented in physical education and academic classes. Schools are provided with bikes and a curriculum, training for teachers and local police officers, and program assessments. Each fourth- and fifth-grader is provided with his or her own textbook.

Using the excitement of riding a bike, the CYCLE Kids program helps children build emotional as well as physical strength. Nutrition lessons, woven into the curriculum, give students the skills they need to make healthy eating choices, both at home and at school. Each lesson is supplemented with a take-home task and encourages students to educate and engage in physical activity and healthy eating habits with their families.

Mission: CYCLE Kids is committed to strengthening the emotional and physical health of children by giving them the skills to lead active and healthy lifestyles, using the fun and practical skill of riding a bike.”

Latest project/campaign: CYCLE Kids has been selected as an Official Charity of the 2018 Boston Marathon.

Major Funding: N/A

Profit/nonprofit: Nonprofit

Annual Budget: N/A

Interesting fact about how they are working to positively affect the food system: Graduates of the CYCLE Kids program have shown a 71% improvement in their nutritional intelligence.

FACT SHEET:

Location:

5 JFK St., Cambridge, MA 02138

Core Programs: 

​The CYCLE Kids Bicycle Skills and Nutrition Program​

Number of staff: N/A

Number of volunteers: N/A

Areas Served:

  • Nationwide

Year Started: 2004

Director: Julianne Idlet

Contact Information:

Email: info@cyclekids.org

Phone: (617) 661-0908

Photo credit: CYCLE Kids

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