Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice
William J. Scott Elementary was in for a major treat with the introduction of All Kids Bike, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to give every child in America the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school.
William J. Scott Elementary revealed the All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride program, thanks to a generous $9,000 grant from The Life Time Foundation.
During the celebration, the All-Kids Bike Program introduced the kindergarteners to their first ride on the Strider balance bikes. William J. Scott Elementary leadership and representatives from the Life Time Foundation delivered a brief presentation before the bike reveal.
The grant includes teacher training and certification, the comprehensive eight-lesson learn-to-ride curriculum, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, student helmets, a teacher instruction bike, and rolling storage racks—everything needed to teach kids how to progress from balancing to pedaling.
William J. Scott Elementary was selected because it is a community where Life Time Team Members live and work.
By teaching kids to ride bikes in school, All Kids Bike gives hundreds of thousands of children each year the chance to learn a life-changing skill that supports physical development, boosts mental health, and builds confidence.
This inclusive program empowers children to achieve a key developmental milestone while building lifelong wellness, confidence, and independence, because every child deserves the joy and freedom that comes with riding on two wheels.
The Life Time Foundation is dedicated to fostering healthy people, a healthy planet, and a healthy way of life. With their gift of $90,000 to All Kids Bike, they will deliver 10 programs at schools across the country during the 2025-26 school year.
Principal at William J. Scott Elementary, Laminate Ojezua, said the school’s coach wanted to do something with All Bikes, and it would not have been possible without the help of the Life Time Foundation.
“My Coach, Coach Pendleton, wanted to incorporate All Kids Bike in our school, and it truly wouldn’t have been possible without the aid and support of Life Time Foundation,” she said. “This is a cool opportunity, so I’m forever grateful to them for bringing joy to our students here at William J. Scott.”
When Ojezua saw the kindergartners ride the bikes for the first time, she said she was extremely excited.
“I feel like sometimes, the physical activities like riding bikes are a lost art, but they’re important and tie into a lot of things, not just physically, but with coordination, critical thinking, reading, and a lot more,” she said. “It ties into things academically as well, so this is crucial for our students.”
Long term, she says, students will be able to use the bikes during P.E. with Coach Pendleton.
“Our students will be able to graduate when they’re able to ride bikes fully and confidently, so it’s not just the physical aspect of riding the bikes, but the characteristic tricks that come with it, like perseverance,” she said. “We want our students to feel it’s okay to fall and get back up as long as you keep getting back up and trying, and, in the end, you’re going to be successful. I’m really excited for our students.”
General Manager for the Life Time Foundation, Tara Esmiel, said that Life Time and the Life Time Foundation understand the importance of healthy habits.
“We understand the love for being active, movement, and staying active is an important part of kids’ wellbeing. We’re super proud to be able to give back to the Atlanta community where our team members live,” she said.
When Esmiel saw the kindergarteners get on the bike for the first time, she said she was in tears.
“I was so overjoyed, especially when we were leading up to everything and seeing how excited they were, and then actually getting them to ride the bikes and seeing them go fast, it’s so special,” she said.
Ojezua also says thank you to the Life Time Foundation for their support.
“Thank you so much to the Life Time Foundation. We really do appreciate it. Whenever we get opportunities like this, something that pours into our students, it means the world to us because we try to pour into them every day, but it means more when the community does it,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful, and we’re all excited and hope they come back.
Additionally, Ojezua says the school is trying to partner with Life Time Foundation to do more physical activities for the kids and even the teachers.
“I’m looking forward to a great partnership,” she said.