CYCLE Kids joining El Tour, hoping to help a Tucson school become part of the program

For 20 years, CYCLE Kids gives children what they need to succeed.

The program improves the lives of children by increasing confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

What’s not to like about that, especially for us here at El Tour de Tucson where we see a great number of future cyclists come and join our growing ride? CYCLE Kids helps kids realize their potential.

At its core, CYCLE Kids is committed to working with elementary schools in under-served, racially diverse communities across the United States to ensure the basic rights of children to a physically and emotionally healthy start in life, all through the fun of biking and learning about healthy nutrition. The program helps children gain confidence and improve self-esteem while learning active and healthy life skills and achieving better academic outcomes.

“CYCLE Kids puts cycling and nutrition programs in underserved elementary schools (3rd-5th grade) across the country,” said April Galda Joyce, of CYCLE Kids. “Currently we are in 80 schools across 14 states, including Arizona, serving 9,000 kids a year and growing.”

Since CYCLE Kids started, Galda Joyce said more than 40,000 kids on bikes have been placed on bikes.

“I fell in love with the program as a cyclist myself – knowing what great things cycling does for my physical and mental health – and through seeing how much kids benefit from the curriculum,” she said. “Grit, confidence, teamwork … they’re learning much more than just how to bike!”

This is the first time being a non-profit partner with El Tour. We will love having them..

“We will have a team riding in El Tour – me included – and would love to have more people join us,” she said. “We are hoping to raise funds to open a program at Stafford Community School in the Tucson area, and to grow from there. I think it is fantastic what El Tour does, bringing together nonprofits and the community for a wonderful ride through gorgeous Tucson.”

To help Cycle Kids acheive its goal, visit: CYCLE Kids.