USA BMX knows that there are two fundamental “Rs” – and has launched the “Read to Ride” initiative for young schoolchildren. It is aimed at helping kids make up for learning loss they experience when out of school. This program is currently in a soft-launch and will roll out nationwide in May.
“With the success of our existing after-school STEM Program (science, technology, engineering and math), we felt it was important to continue our commitment to education and a lifelong love of learning. Through the BMX industry partnerships we have built over the years, we have significant interest for support of this new program,” said USA BMX chief executive officer B.A. Anderson.
Students in kindergarten through the sixth grade can read or be read to, choosing any publication or format they like, and log each hour of reading activity through an online tracking system. Each student receives a certificate of participation and a one-day membership to USA BMX. Students who rank in the top tier of their class in hours read earn additional prizes such as water bottles, shirts, hats and synch sacks. The student who logs the most minutes per school wins a BMX bike and helmet and recognition at a school assembly as the top reader.