Read the KOMO news story “Gov. Inslee introduces bike program to Washington elementary school students”

HDR Foundation Brings Kindergarten Bike Program to Hawthorne Elementary 

In partnership with HDR Foundation and All Kids Bike, Hawthorne Elementary was gifted a fleet of bicycles as part of the Kindergarten Learn-to-Ride Physical Education Program.  

Gov. Jay Islee and Superintendent Brent Jones surprised a gym full of kindergarteners with new bikes and helmets, as well as pedal conversion kits, one teacher instruction bike, and certified curriculum training for Hawthorne’s Physical Education teacher, Tahj Stewart. It includes everything needed to teach kids how to progress from balance to riding a bike in eight lessons. 

Superintendent Jones and Lori S. Dunn, the program manager for Physical Education and Health Literacy, shared their excitement about expanding the program to all elementary schools in the district.   

“This is our opportunity to really expand our curriculum outside the walls of the classroom … And we really are excited to have this partnership,” the superintendent said. 

Dunn said Seattle Public Schools is the only district in the country that will have a sustainable bike and pedestrian safety unit from kindergarten through eighth grade.  

“All of our kids … will have an opportunity to receive this programming by the end of next year, graciously funded now by the newly passed Washington state legislative transportation package advocated from the Governor’s office,” Dunn said. 

Gov. Inslee said he was pleased with our district’s efforts in making sure all students had access to learn how to ride a bike. 

“What we are doing here today is making sure every kid has an opportunity to have a lifetime of bike riding for health, for safety, and for a lot of fun,” Gov. Inslee said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled, and I like what the Seattle schools are doing to focus on every child having this opportunity, not just those who are lucky enough to have a bike.”

Funding for the program was made possible by HDR Foundation, who focuses their efforts on supporting education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship.    

“Teaching kids how to bike early on … has the enormous potential to positively impact the individual, the community, and the natural environment,” said Hannah Baumbach, a project accountant with HDR.  

After the bikes were revealed, students were able to take the new bikes for a spin around the gym. Gov. Inslee, Superintendent Jones, and other officials helped students to properly put on the biking helmets before they were allowed to try out a bike. 

All Kids Bike is a national movement led by the Strider Education Foundation. Their Learn to Ride Program was launched in 2018 and is currently running in over 800 schools in all 50 states. 

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Hawthorne Elementary awarded $18K for Biking Program 

Posted: Jan. 4, 2023

HDR Foundation will deliver the All Kids Bike Kindergarten Physical Education Program to Hawthorne Elementary as part of the All Kids Bike initiative. The goal is to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in a kindergarten physical education class.  

The program launch will include a bike reveal, an introduction of the Learn-To-Ride Program to students, and a presentation from Governor Jay Inslee, school staff, and HDR representatives.  

HDR provided a donation of $150,000 to All Kids Bike, designating $18,000 to three Title I schools in Washington state. Hawthorne Elementary was one of the schools.  

The All Kids Bike Learn‐To‐Ride Program will have an important impact on the safety, confidence, and joy of these future bike-riders. 

All Kids Bike is a national movement led by the Strider Education Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 organization formed in 2017.  The All Kids Bike Learn to Ride Program was launched in 2018 and is currently actively running in over 800 schools in all 50 states. 

The HDR Foundation provides grants to qualified organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. Since its inception, the HDR Foundation has provided over $6 million in grants to over 250 organizations. You can learn more on the HDR Foundation website.