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BOSTON (WBZNewsRadio) - Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is delivering on her promise to make Boston the best City in the Country to raise a family, by offering free bike-riding lessons for Bostonians between the ages of four and thirteen.
"Biking is more than just a fun way to stay active, it's a great way to get around and crucial life skill - one that all of our young people deserve the opportunity to develop." said Mayor Wu.
The lessons will be available at 15 different locations across the city as part of Boston's "Connect, Learn, Explore: Boston's Commitment to Youth."
"This is an exciting initiative for our children and youth," said Council President Ed Flynn. "Learning to ride a bike, much like learning how to swim, is an important skill that allows our young people to get active, have fun, and explore new places with families and peers in the City. I encourage our youth to take advantage of this program to learn about the basics of balance, bike safety, and bike rules."
Nearly 300 kids are participating in this summer's programs at three Boston Parks; Almont Park, East Boston Stadium, and White Stadium. Eleven additional locations will now offer the lessons through a partnership with Highland Street Foundation's Let's Get Rolling Initiative. Highland Street donated new bikes through REI Co-op to each site, with instructors provided by non-profit Bikes Not Bombs, and site coordination through Neighborhood Villages. All-in-all, the sites will serve several hundred youngsters through out the year.
“Highland Street Foundation is excited to partner with the City of Boston to provide bikes and instruction to several of our community partners,” said Highland Street Foundation Executive Director Blake Jordan. “Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy that riding a bike provides and if there are barriers to that, it is our role as a community to lift them.”
It isn't just learning how to ride a bike, earlier this month Mayor Wu announced "Swim Safe," offering free swimming lessons to kids between the ages of three and eleven.
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