More Kindergartners Will Learn to Ride Through All Kids Bike Grant
Kindergartners at 25 schools will learn to ride a bike in gym glass through a $225,000 HDR Foundation grant to All Kids Bike.
In addition to experiencing the joy of riding, students learn about bike safety, build confidence and increase their physical activity.
This marks the fifth year the HDR Foundation has partnered with All Kids Bike to fund the popular learn-to-ride program in kindergarten physical education classes. Since 2022, the HDR Foundation has awarded over $1 million to launch the program at 149 schools, benefiting thousands of kindergarten students across the United States.
Lara Zawaideh, a business development leader and manager in HDR's cross sector services, helped organize an All Kids Bike event at Pittsfield Elementary School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Hearing a teacher share that some students had never ridden a bike before — and seeing their excitement to try for the first time — shows how meaningful this opportunity is,” Zawaideh said. “It’s not just about bikes; it’s about building confidence, creating joyful first experiences, and expanding what kids believe they can do.”
Through the grant, each school receives a fleet of 25 bikes, 25 helmets, storage equipment, teacher training and certification, a complete eight-lesson curriculum, games and activities, and ongoing support.
“There’s so much joy in seeing these kids hop on bikes at our reveal events,” said Stefanie Mosteller, HDR Foundation executive director. “Time after time, our employees say how fun and rewarding it is to build the bikes, followed by a lively trip to a kindergarten gym class.”
Kimberly Brown, HDR senior project controls specialist, helped organize the bike reveal at Easton Elementary School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The experience recalled childhood memories of learning to ride. “Learning how to ride a bike felt like this impossible thing to do as a child,” Brown said. “But with the support of my community, that experience taught me how to set a goal that seemed out of reach and use my support systems to accomplish it, which laid the foundation for further goal setting in my later years.”
About the HDR Foundation
The HDR Foundation provides grants to qualified organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. As an employee-funded and employee-driven foundation, preference is given to organizations located in communities in which HDR employees live and work, and those with strong employee involvement. Since its inception, the HDR Foundation has provided more than $14 million in grants to over 700 organizations.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
