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First in the Nation All Abilities Bike Program Aims to Teach People With Disabilities How to Ride a Bike

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In the Spring of 2025, Keep Middlesex Moving launched its first All Abilities Bike Camp in partnership with Future Foundations Academy, part of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. The program reflects a shared commitment to expanding mobility, independence, and access for all students.

Held in Piscataway, the ten-session camp began in late March and was led by staff Chris Gonda and Isabella Gonzalez, with support from paraprofessionals. Using the All Kids Bike curriculum from the Strider Education Foundation, students learned through a balance bike approach designed to build confidence and foundational skills.

The pilot program focused on neurodivergent students selected by Vice Principal John Taylor, with priority given to those facing financial or scheduling barriers. Over two weeks, students participated in structured, one-hour sessions, with makeup opportunities available to ensure consistent progress.

Seven of the eight participants had never ridden a bike before. By the end of the program, most showed significant improvement in both skill and confidence. Staff and families noted meaningful growth, with one parent sharing that the program succeeded where years of attempts had not.

Beyond instruction, KMM conducted pre-and post-program assessments and developed a report evaluating outcomes. The results highlight the importance of strong school partnerships and individualized support in creating successful, inclusive programs.

Following the pilot’s success, the Strider Education Foundation awarded a second grant to expand the program this summer. The second camp took place at East Brunswick Adaptive Recreation Daisy Day Camp, where ten (10) students ranging in age from 8-16 participated in ten one-hour learn to ride sessions.

Keep Middlesex Moving wishes to thank the Strider Education Foundation, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program for their support.

For more information about inclusive mobility programs, contact programs at kmm.org.

August is National Back to School Month

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Although many school districts begin in September, we celebrate National Back to School Month as a way to prepare for the coming school year.

Visit our Safe Routes to School resource page to learn what you can do and how KMM can help.

Walk and Bike to School Events

Walk and bike events, like International Walk to School Day in October, are a great way to introduce an SRTS program and get families excited about walking to school. KMM works with organizers to plan the event, map a suitable route and provide support materials.

Walk Safety Assembly

Crossing the street, traffic signals, crosswalks, and more are covered in this 45-minute interactive program ideal for first and second graders. The presentation uses slides and short videos. Giveaways include bookmarks, stickers, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets

Bike Safety Presentation

KMM presents a 20-minute program on bike safety including helmet use and fitting, basic traffic rules, and parts of the bicycle. Ideal for grades 4-6.

Bike Rodeo

This bike skills course helps students learn the basics of safe bicycling on a fun off-road course. Rodeos can be run during school, at an after-school program, at a summer camp, or during a community festival. KMM will plan your bike rodeo, layout a safety course, direct the event, and train volunteer

Walking School Bus

A walking school bus is a group of students walking together to school on a regular basis. Parents often take turns “driving” the bus, walking with the students, and providing supervision. KMM will help plan a route, assist in developing policies and procedures and provide a safety orientation to volunteers.

School Travel Plan

KMM works with schools and towns to create a plan to improve the walk or bike to school – this may include street fixes, educational programs, and police enforcement. This “school travel plan” is a blueprint for making improvements over time – and enables towns and schools to apply for supporting grants. KMM will prepare the plan with the participation of the Board of Education, municipality, parents, and community leaders.

New Brunswick Ciclovia Did it Again!

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Our super nurse volunteers (courtesy Diana Starace, Safe Kids Middlesex County)
Our super nurse volunteers                                                       (courtesy Diana Starace, Safe Kids Middlesex County)

KMM and Safe Kids Middlesex County (based at the Level 1 Trauma Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital) teamed up again to distribute free bicycle helmets and challenge kid’s bike safety skills at New Brunswick Ciclovia.

The third city-wide open streets event of this year took place on Sunday, October 12th. Four volunteers from the nursing program at New Jersey City University helped us fit helmets on heads, explain the importance of helmet use to kids and parents, and guide children through a short skill course.

Riding the course (courtesy Veronica Torres)
Riding the course (courtesy Veronica Torres)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all the families that came out on this beautiful day!