Pedaling Minds

Remember your first bike ride? 

That rush of freedom, balance, and “I did it!”

Every child deserves that moment — but many never get the chance.

Pedaling Minds helps kids learn to ride bikes with confidence, safety, and joy.

Our Story

In 2014, Olympian Mike Friedman sold everything he had to start Pedaling Minds—driven by one powerful moment that changed everything.

It all began when Mike taught a young boy how to ride a bike. This simple act of kindness transformed that boy’s life, helping him gain the confidence to face his classmates and stop the bullying he’d been enduring for not knowing how to ride. That moment sparked something deep in Mike’s heart—he knew he had to do more. 

And so, Pedaling Minds was born, a non-profit dedicated to helping every person have fun riding a bike with control and confidence. 

We use bikes as a tool for empowerment, education, and awareness of the world around us.

To date, over 2,000 children have learned how to ride a bike and have improved bicycling skills and safety through the Pedaling Minds method. Over time, Pedaling Minds has grown to offer experiential learning programs in various layouts, from weeklong summer programs to one-day clinics. Skill lessons and drills are tailored to the level of the student. 

Our Unique Approach

The “I Can” Mindset:

Our riders build resilience through our 3 P’s-model: practice, patience, and perseverance, with programs matched to each individual’s needs and abilities.

Trust with Every Rider:

Our experienced coaches create a supportive, trust-filled learning environment, empowering each rider to succeed.

Hands-On & Experiential:

Our bicycle-inspired STEM camps connect children with real-world science and technology, fostering curiosity and hands-on experiences that extend beyond biking.

Our Impact

• In 2025, we taught over 450 people to ride
• This year, 33% of our riders have come to our summer camps for free or participated in one-day clinics
• 94% of parents have witnessed a boost in their child’s confidence
• 97% of parents noticed improved bike control
• 89% of parents report kids achieving or surpassing their goals
• 80% of parents see their kids embracing our 3 P’s approach of practice, patience, and perseverance in areas beyond cycling

Testimonials:

"After two 2-hour lessons with Mike, our 7-year-old son went from being unable to balance on his bike, to being completely confident, doing tight turns around cones without any training wheels, turning with ease, and happy on the bike. He was so happy he was able to bike around by himself, he told us "I can't believe it! I had never been able to ride my bike!" Mike treated him with so much patience, but also so much respect, explaining and teaching, while also encouraging and correcting him. Thank you so much Mike!" - M.J., Parent, October 2025

"Highly, highly recommend. My highly sensitive, incredibly cautious almost 7yo had been struggling to ride for years, after doing a different company's camp and many attempts at home. At the start of our 1 on 1 lesson, Coach Mike engaged with her regarding bike experiences to date, her feelings on it, and what she was most anxious about regarding biking. In 30 minutes she went from incredibly slow gliding to pedaling! We did a second lesson to further build her confidence, even spending time on a trail! I cannot recommend Pedaling Minds highly enough!" - L.T., Parent, September 2025

"As a recent partial foot amputee, I had lost a lot of confidence riding my bicycle with my little dog, Bella. After one hour of training with Coach Mike, I felt SAFE... My bicycle riding confidence has returned! Bella and I enjoyed a 10 mile ride! Thank you Mike for not making me feel foolish as an adult needing lessons in confidence and some guidance again! I would highly recommend this organization!" - S.L.C., Participant, September 2025

Today, we need your support to reach our goals and transform lives

At its core, Pedaling Minds believes everyone belongs on a bike. By providing equitable access to high-quality, supportive bike education, we’re not just teaching kids how to ride—we’re building healthier, more confident, and more connected communities.

Your generous support helps us provide accessible bike education and opportunities for all, including scholarships, giving them the skills and confidence to succeed—not just on a bike, but in life. Every donation makes a difference in shaping the future of our young riders.

This year, we served over 450 people, with 33% of them attending programs for free. With your support, we can make sure that 2026 will offer more cycling opportunities to Colorado youth.