Morgan Hill, CA – August 31, 2026 – As communities face rising rates of stress, inactivity, and social isolation, Outride is investing in a comprehensive approach to advance brain health through cycling.
Through school programs that introduce people to riding, community investments that remove barriers to participation, and research partnerships that strengthen and evaluate effective programs, Outride is
empowering more people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling.
Outride has expanded its impact through three major grant initiatives designed to increase access to cycling's benefits and deepen understanding of cycling's role in brain health and well-being. This year,
the organization launched 52 new Riding for Focus programs, selected 42 Community Impact Grant recipients, and awarded 11 inaugural Research Partnership Grants. Together, these investments are
creating more opportunities for people to ride while generating new evidence about cycling's potential to improve lives and strengthen communities. The full list of awardees can be found here.
"We believe cycling can be a powerful tool for improving brain health and well-being at every stage of life. By investing in schools, communities, and research partnerships, we're expanding access to riding while deepening our understanding of its impact. These grants reflect our commitment to building healthier, more connected communities through cycling." - Dr. Esther Walker, Executive Director, Outride
Riding for Focus:
Outride's Riding for Focus program integrates cycling into the school day, helping students build confidence, develop bike skills, and experience the benefits of cycling. Informed by more than a decade
of research and practice, the program provides schools with a fleet of bikes, helmets, curriculum, and teacher training, empowering educators to use cycling as a tool for student engagement and well-being.
By the Numbers:
• 52 new Riding for Focus programs launched in 2026
• Nearly 500 total programs launched in schools across the U.S. and Canada
• More than 500,000 students reached since the program began
Community Impact Grant:
Outride's Community Impact Grants support nonprofit organizations and school programs working to make cycling and its benefits more accessible. Grants help remove barriers to participation through
youth development programs, community bike clubs, rider education programs, adaptive cycling opportunities, and skills camps that encourage lifelong participation in cycling. Priority is given to organizations serving youth and older adults, helping more people experience cycling's social, emotional, and cognitive benefits.
By the Numbers:
• 42 organizations awarded in 2026
• Over 315 organizations supported since the grant's inception
"Every new Riding for Focus program creates opportunities for students to discover confidence, independence and joy on a bike. Further, the organizations we support through the Community Impact Grant are transforming lives through cycling every day, from introducing youth to their first ride, to creating opportunities for older adults to stay connected and active. Together, they're removing barriers and creating welcoming pathways and ecosystems for cycling in their communities." - Chazz Robinson, Programs Leader, Outride
Research Partnership Grant:
Launched in 2026, Outride's Research Partnership Grant supports collaborations between researchers and community organizations to better understand and strengthen cycling-based programs that promote
brain health and well-being. By connecting researchers directly with practitioners, the program helps generate actionable evidence that can improve program design, inform implementation, and expand
access to effective cycling interventions. The inaugural cohort includes projects examining attention, mental health, belonging, adaptive cycling access, social connection, and community well-being among
both youth and older adults.
• Featured Projects:
o Researchers at UCSF and educators at Chartwell School are evaluating how school-day
mountain biking may support attention and learning for students with dyslexia.
o Researchers from The University of New Mexico and the Practitioners from the Center
for Southwest Culture are exploring how cycling can build confidence, connection, and
well-being among Indigenous and Latina women ages 55 and older through the Adelitas
Program.
"We are so excited to bring these research community partnership projects to life. These awards mark an important step toward understanding the impacts of real-life cycling programs on brain health and well-being, fostering cross-sector relationships, and ensuring research findings are shared out with the communities that could benefit most."
- Lauren Schuck, Research Program
Manager, Outride
Collectively, these investments reflect Outride's commitment to building a movement around brain health through cycling. Together, these initiatives create a cycle of learning and impact: research partnerships help identify and evaluate promising approaches, school and community programs bring evidence into practice, and insights from practitioners help shape future research priorities. This integrated model allows Outride to accelerate both access to cycling and understanding of its benefits to individuals and their communities.
About Outride
Founded in 2014, Outride works to empower all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. Outride has distributed over $10 million in funding, bikes, equipment, and programs to schools and nonprofits. In collaboration with universities and other institutions, Outride advances and supports research to better understand how cycling supports brain health across the lifespan.
