Jason Steele, Perkett physical education teacher, had been working with the kindergarten students over the last several weeks, teaching them how to balance, use the brakes, turn, watch for others and pedal.

After conquering the basics, the students who were ready moved up to the Strider bikes that had pedals.

Steele taught his classes how to correctly put on a helmet. It was preferred if the students brought their own helmets at home, if they already had one.

“When the kids take them home, they’ll be ready to go,” he said.

Ariana Bohnenkamp, front, kept her feet on the pegs on a Strider bike while doing a turn at Perkett Elementary School on April 10, followed closely by Ian Nelson, back. In order to start the All Kids Bike Learn-to-Ride Kindergarten (Physical Education) Program, Gov. Doug Burgum’s office signed a grant that gave enough bikes to North Dakota schools for a full class.

The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE (Physical Education) Program sent the schools helmets along with a fleet of 24 Strider bikes, so the students who did not have helmets at home could participate and stay safe.

In addition, the program included pedal conversion kits, a metal rolling bike rack, curriculum aligned with the National Society of Health and Physical Educators PE standards, training for the teachers and support from the All Kids Bike organization as long as the school continues to participate in the program.

The Strider bikes were granted to schools all over North Dakota by Gov. Doug Burgum’s office, giving kindergarteners the opportunity to learn to ride a bike.

The students who just finished up their kindergarten year will be moving onto first grade next year, and the bikes will be kept at the school to be used by future generations.

Olivia Lilly cruised around the outside of the Perkett Elementary School gym on April 10 on a Strider bike with pedals that was given to the school by a grant signed by Gov. Doug Burgum’s office for the All Kids Bike Learn-to-Ride Kindergarten PE (Physical Education) Program.