Rockdale’s Barksdale Elementary students learn to ride with Strider bike donation

CONYERS, GA–Barksdale Elementary’s youngest will be riding on two wheels in no time, thanks to a generous donation from Progressive IMS Outdoors, the nation’s largest motorcycle event, and the nonprofit All Kids Bike.

The donation to the Barksdale Elementary School (BES) PE class, worth $5,000, includes 24 Strider bicycles, 24 helmets, an adult teaching bicycle, equipment, a five-year subscription to the Learn-to-Ride curriculum for Pre-K and Kindergarten and more.

With Strider bicycles, children learn to balance on two wheels while propelling themselves by their feet. When they are ready to transition, pedals and chains are placed on the bikes. IMS Outdoors and All Kids Bike representatives presented the donation to a cheering and excited crowd of Barksdale Pre-K students on Oct. 28. Barksdale is one of only eight schools in the nation selected for the grant by IMS Outdoors, which holds the Progressive IMS Outdoors Motorcycle Show at the Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, GA, Oct. 29-30, 2021.

Senior Vice President of Progressive IMS Outdoors Tracy Harris said,

“We could not be more excited to share our passion for two wheels and provide the kids of Barksdale Elementary School a life-long skill of bike riding” said Tracy Harris, senior vice president of Progressive IMS Outdoors.

Ryan McFarland, CEO of Strider and chairman of All Kids Bike, said “It’s is our mission to get kids across America on two wheels. We are so excited to bring this opportunity to the kids of the Barksdale Elementary School in partnership with IMS. There is nothing like the smile on a kid’s face when they master the art of balance for the first time.”

Pictured, left to right: Back row – IMS Outdoors spokesperson Robert Pandya, All Kids Ride Director of Development Wayne Lilly. Next row – BES PE Teacher Morgan Pye, BES Principal Dr. Jill Murphy. Next row – BES students Carter Smith, Lola Kiker, Byron Smith. Front row – BES students Chloe Cline, Nazariah McKinney.

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Pictured, left to right: Back row – IMS Outdoors spokesperson Robert Pandya, All Kids Ride Director of Development Wayne Lilly. Next row – Barksdale Elementary School (BES) PE Teacher Morgan Pye, BES Principal Dr. Jill Murphy. Next row – BES students Carter Smith, Lola Kiker, Byron Smith. Front row – BES students Chloe Cline, Nazariah McKinney.

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IMS Outdoors and the All Kids Bike nonprofit recently donated 24 special model Strider bicycles, not available in stores, for Barksdale Elementary students to learn how to ride while in PE class.

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Barksdale Elementary PE teacher Morgan Pye supervises as students excitedly try out the Strider bikes for the first time in the gymnasium after the donation presentation on October 28, 2021.

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IMS Outdoors spokesperson and new rider training coordinator Robert Pandya and All Kids Bike Director of Development Wayne Lilly pull off the cover to reveal the brand new Strider bikes donated for Barksdale Elementary Pre-K and Kindergarten students to learn how to ride a bicycle.

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IMS Outdoors spokesperson Robert Pandya leads a cheer with the first group of Barksdale Elementary students to try out the new Strider bikes presented at the donation celebration October 28, 2021.

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Barksdale Elementary Principal Dr. Jill Murphy and Rockdale County Public Schools Science and Health/PE Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Denise Richardson help assemble the new Strider bikes.