By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A nationwide nonprofit is funding a new bike program for kindergartners at Rivera Elementary, providing equipment the teacher could not otherwise afford.
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Rivera physical education teacher Mirtha Fausto said schools are losing funding, forcing teachers to rely on grants.
“You always have it in the back of your mind – ‘Oh, is our program going to be cut due to the lack of funding,’” Fausto said.
Fausto said PE is important for childhood development.
“It’s so important that kids pick up the basic coordination skills. A lot of kids are lacking,” Fausto said.
Fausto said kids need coordination and balance for everyday tasks, such as picking up a pencil, and said biking is a good way to teach it.
Rivera kindergarten student Isabella Rodrique described how she feels riding fast.
“I feel like I’m about to fall, but I don’t,” Isabella said.
Program addresses equipment costs
Fausto said biking also teaches discipline and how to get up after a fall.
“You see student agency, which is something that’s so important for the students – where you see them maturing,” Fausto said.
Bikes for kindergartners are expensive for a PE class, which is where the All Kids Bike program provides support. The foundation helps students ride nationwide and estimates it is currently helping around 190,000 students every year.
Strider Foundation Executive Director Lisa Weyer said learning to ride a bike is a childhood milestone.
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“I just think it’s vital – such a childhood milestone to get to learn to ride a bike,” Weyer said.
The Strider Foundation hosts the All Kids Bike program. Weyer said the nonprofit is in more than 1,900 schools.
Equipment set donated by HDR Engineering
The bike set, which includes 24 bikes and helmets, two storage racks, an adult bike and helmet, and an eight-part teacher training course, costs $9,000. HDR Engineering donated the set to Rivera students.
HDR Engineering Transportation Projects Manager Larry Barela commented on the program’s benefit.
“It just helps them to get out of the house and off the computer,” Barela said.
All Kids Bike says biking in PE also boosts student attendance because students are excited to come to school.
“What I like about riding a bike is they’re really fun, and also you can do a lot with them,” Isabella said.
All Kids Bike is looking for more schools to sponsor. Teachers can apply HERE. You can donate and support the organization HERE.
Isabela Lisco is aReport for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and theArizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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