Science of Development
SCIENCE-DRIVEN BICYCLE CURRICULUM
At Pedal Pedal Pedal our vision of bicycles in education will embrace four fundamental tenets.
1. Individual Health & Wellness - Evidence shows that beginning in preschool and carrying through middle-school, outdoor activity, like cycling, promotes physical, social, and neurological development in subjects while improving focus, sleep, metabolism and enthusiasm at school. (see Citations)
2. Social Fortitude & Leadership - Cycling and Cohort Learning exposes and facilitates social benefits beyond the classroom. As students move into middle and high school, programming may include field study, volunteer and social innovation projects embracing community leadership and advocacy. (see Citations)
3. Life Pathways Explored - The continuity of a bicycle from pre-shool through high school and college, can expose and guide youth toward professional or trade pathways inspired by wheeled mobility, bicycle utility, human health and physiology. While physics, engineering and science can be introduced and explored in the context of our bicycle-centric programming. (see Citations)
4. FUN - Cycling participation can be purposeful, competitive and fun in socially unifying ways. As participants or spectators, cycling brings people together! This can be seen at events as huge as the Tour de France, as local as the Tour of America's Dairyland, or as quaint as the kiddie and fun races at a Farmer's Market or County Fair. (see Citations)
We believe that once teachers and program leaders introduce and reinforce these engaging lessons and games, many kids will likely evolve play among themselves outside of school, or use their developing skills to explore upon their bikes safely.
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Fun is contagious. Laughter absolutely. Freedom, well, freedom and exploration are integral to the bike. Because PLAY is our VIBE, we want kids to know this feeling as early as they can!
Science tells us that good habits starting young - an active metabolism and a challenged mind, engaging the senses of sight, hearing, feeling and the emotions of play - can promote healthy neurological, physical, and social development. Cycling can increase quality of life, reduce disease, enrich relationships, and boost creativity!
THIS IS OUR UNDERCURRENT!
By putting our Phase One National Racing Program - what we are calling our “Shiny Object” - in front of our young program participants, we will define and inspire pathways to success. Kids look up to kids, especially if they are doing something really cool!
Our Affiliated Club Social Innovation Commitment, is a Grant Program we use to recognize clubs incorporating our values of social engagement and leadership while doing outreach that improves awareness of our curriculum and programming. Specifically, it includes outreach to elementary and middle schools that will demonstrate cycling as a fun activity all can enjoy, whether it is for transportation, recreation, or competition.
From this demonstration, kids can aspire to their own vision of what cycling is - whether cycling to school or a friend's house, jumping a ditch or racing a friend uphill - creativity will define the limits of these inspired youth. Though they may not all compete, they will know their human powered machines, the moving parts, and the wind in their hair as they pedal faster and faster!
CYCLING IS OUR SUPERPOWER!!