How do our riders learn?
Level 1: In the gym on the outrigger with assistance
On a traditional bike with a handle, adjusted for the rider
On the tandem; What a great feeling!
Level 2: On the track with a handle and assistance
On the track riding independently
Level 3: In the community and at home!
About the Full Week, 5-day program
The majority of riders will attend the full-week program. This is for individuals who have disabilities or those who need five days to learn the necessary skills to ride typical bikes.
About the Quick Start / Refresher Course, 3-day program
Many individuals learn to ride their bikes, and then how to start and stop. If your rider, aged eight or above, can ride but needs more focus on other skills or confidence, or if they require additional support, enroll them in our Quick Start course, which runs on the last three days of Bike First. Those who know how to ride and need guidance with advanced skills should enroll in our Refresher course, which also runs for the last three days. Bicycles will be available for use in the gym as well as our outside riding area. We will have bikes available for purchase, and our bike technician may be able to tune up and adjust bikes for the entire family, charging only for parts.
Bike First! 2025 Schedule
Leader Meeting (required): Thursday, June 26, 6-9:00 PM, Ann’s House
Caregiver Meeting (required): Friday, June 27, 7-8:00 PM, Parkrose Middle School Cafeteria
Volunteer Meeting (required): Friday, June 27, 5-6:30 PM, Parkrose Middle School Cafeteria
Staff, Volunteers, & Sponsor Lunch Celebration: Wednesday, July 2
Bike First! Full Week: Saturday, June 28-Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Five sessions per day (riders attend one session daily for one hour and 15 minutes)
Fee: $250
Quick Start / Refresher Course: Monday, June 30-Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Five sessions per day (riders attend one session daily for one hour and 15 minutes)
Fee: $150
Session Times
Is Bike First! appropriate for the applicant?
It is essential to emphasize that this program is based on the premise that riders will acquire the skills necessary to ride a traditional two-wheeled bicycle. This goal is predicated on the assumption that riders are skilled and comfortable with steering, pedaling, and maintaining their focus on the road ahead. A few riders learn all these things during Bike First!, but success is most likely when they arrive with these fundamental pre-skills.
The nature of Bike First! necessitates that the rider must be:
8 years or older (or taller and mature for their age, with permission in advance from the director, Ann Donaca, at annbikefirst@gmail.com).
Ambulatory
Able to keep their feet on the pedals and maintain pedaling
Able to keep their hands on the handlebars and turn
Able to see sufficiently to avoid obstacles and maintain a path of travel
Willing to follow instructions and motivated to learn to ride
Willing to wear a helmet
Under 180 pounds (weight restriction for our bikes)
Our experience has shown that behavioral considerations are extremely important—riders may be physically capable of riding. Still, if they cannot be persuaded to get on the bike and follow our instructions, they may struggle to succeed. We have also found that riders aged 8 and older tend to perform better than younger children, but more importantly, it is how motivated each rider is to learn. Smaller children will not fit on our specialized bicycles. There is no maximum age level, and some riders attend for several years in a row.
Bike First! is a significant commitment for everyone, and although our goal is to have fun, we take our commitment very seriously. There is always a waiting list; being on time is crucial, and attendance for the entire camp is highly recommended to allow sufficient time to learn essential skills.
If you or the rider cannot commit to a full five days of conscientious participation, please bypass this program and wait until they are ready.
But if you believe that the time is now, read on.
For Families & Friends
In our experience, most riders perform better when their caregivers (all adults) are not in the gymnasium. Riders are often more willing to take risks and are more open to novelty when unfamiliar spotters are involved.
We also recognize that caregivers are the ultimate experts on what motivates the rider. That's one of the reasons we ask you to provide a full-face photo and some information about the applicant's disability, as well as what motivates them. We create files for each rider, which our spotters use to familiarize themselves with their assigned riders.
In the final days of Bike First!, caregivers should come prepared in comfortable clothing and running shoes. We may need you to help guide your rider while the spotter teaches you how to assist your rider in becoming independent.
Your rider must promise to attend every day, arrive on time, and refrain from practicing outside Bike First! until the camp has concluded. Additionally, they must not attend any other camps this week. Their body needs time to process and memorize what they've learned daily. Also, review the tips for riders section below with the applicant.
For Riders
Is it hard to ride without your training wheels? Bike riding should be fun and easy, so we’re here to help!
Get ready for a wonderful week with our special bicycles. They ride just like regular bikes, but they rarely tip over. Riders get lots of practice with leaning and turning. At least two trained spotters will always be with you, encouraging you to pedal faster and helping you along.
Bike First! is a big commitment
You have to promise to come every day, be on time, and not practice outside Bike First! In addition, you must not take any other camps this week. Your body needs time to memorize what you learn each day.
Talk it over with your caregivers; if you’re unsure, you can always wait until next year. But if you’re ready, we hope you and your caregivers decide to register for our program. If you do, bring your helmet and wear comfy clothes and tennis shoes. Each day, also bring a filled water bottle. You’ll get a Bike First! t-shirt as soon as you arrive. Every day you’ll earn a new prize. At the end of the week, your whole family can come to celebrate your success, which will be held at the end of the session.