The Pedal Champs program is designed for young riders aged 5 to 12 years old, providing them with a structured pathway to develop their cycling skills and passion, before entering one of our mountain bike programs. Whether they are starting with basic riding skills or progressing into longer rides, our program offers a variety of opportunities tailored to their age and ability.

Participants in Pedal Champs can choose from a range of offerings including weekday, weekend and multi-day camp riding options. Class availability depends on the season and region, though most classes are available year-round at our headquarters.

At Pedal Kids USA, we prioritize creating a supportive and fun environment where young riders can grow in confidence and proficiency. Our Pedal Champs program not only focuses on building cycling skills but also encourages camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants. We aim to inspire a lifelong enjoyment of biking adventures.

Recommended Wheel Size

• Typically 20” wheel for 5 & 6 year olds
• Typically 24” wheel for 7 & 8 year olds
• Typically 26” or 27.5” for 9 -12 year olds
• Wheel size also depends on age and size of child

SEL Components

• Be separate from parents for the duration of class 
• Able to focus in class/camp
• Can stay with the group
• Can follow multiple step instructions 
• Can participate in opening/closing circle

Pedal Champs Level 0

Prerequisites

• Minimum 5 years old 

Predicted Limits 

• Putting weight on the seat to help guide the bike
• Sit and glide on a balance bike
• Always able to pick bike up on their own

Bike Skills Needed For Advancement to Level 1

• Able to pick bike up on their own
• Able to stand over bike and balance on their own
• Able to walk bike forward without weight on seat
• Able to put weight on the seat to help guide the bike
• Able to sit and glide on a bike with pedals removed

Pedal Champs Level 1

Prerequisites

• Minimum 5 years old 

Predicted Limits 

• Continuous gliding balance
• Controlling speed on small hills

Bike Skills Needed For Advancement to Level 2

• Always able to pick up the bike on their own
• Able to kick and glide with feet in the air
• Able to stop by dragging feet
• Able to change direction by turning the handlebars
• Able to glide with one pedal on
• Able to pedal with two pedals without the aid of training wheels
• Able to start pedaling without assistance
• Sufficient use of handbrake (optional but preferred)

Pedal Champs Level 2

Prerequisites

• Able to pedal independently without the aid of training wheels 
• Able to stop in control

Attributes

• Can pedal; wobbly pedaler
• May be Familiar with handbrakes; can usually stop themselves
• Endurance: Approx. 2-3 miles in 1.5 hours

Predicted Limits

• May not have full dexterity with brakes
• May not be able to crank up hills & control downhill speed

Bike Skills Needed For Advancement to Level 3

• Rides a 20″ wheel or bigger with multiple gears
• Able to shift gears on command (if using a multi-speed bike)
• Able to pedal in a straight line for 100 feet or more
• Able to turn bike without putting feet on the ground
• Able to slow down without putting feet on the ground
• Consistently stopping safely using only handbrakes
• Able to Coast downhill smoothly while standing with level pedals; 
• Always able to Climb a greenway hill w/ little struggle
• Able to modulate speed on both hills and corners
• Able to look in multiple directions while riding
• Displays good greenway etiquette

Pedal Kids Level 3

Prerequisites

• Rides a 20″ wheel or bigger with multiple gears
• Able to shift gears on command (if using a multi-speed bike)
• Able to pedal in a straight line for 100 feet or more
• Able to turn bike without putting feet on the ground
• Able to slow down without putting feet on the ground
• Consistently stopping safely using only handbrakes
• Able to Coast downhill smoothly while standing with level pedals; 
• Always able to Climb a greenway hill w/ little struggle
• Able to modulate speed on both hills and corners
• Able to look in multiple directions while riding
• Displays good greenway etiquette

Attributes

• • Can confidently ascend/descend paved greenway trails
  • Active & proficient use of handbrakes
  • Has minimal exposure to riding beginner-level (green) MTB trails
  • More regular shifting

Endurance: Approx. 3-5 miles in 1.5 hours

Predicted Limits

• Scared or timid riding beginner level mountain bike trails 
• Gear shifting may still be delayed
• Steeper uphill climbs; steep downhill descents may be challenging

Bike Skills Needed For Advancement to MTB Kids Level 3

• Consistently anticipates gear shifts before climbs
• Very comfortable using bike-body separation
• Very comfortable using Ready Position
• Able to ratchet pedals when needed
• Can start pedaling on a hill
• Always able to climb greenway trails comfortably
• Able to safely modulate downhill speed on all greenway trails

Great!

If your child has a 20″ bike with gears and can accomplish all the sub-skills in the Pedal Champs Level 3, we would love to have them in one of our MTB Kids programs!

Broadly by age | Specifically by ability level.

We take forming the right groups seriously as the first step in reinforcing the Pedal Kids mantra of “Pedal like a Champ, Ride like a Team!”. We also believe it is critical to form groups by riding ability level for the fun and safety of all participants.

On the first day of all our programs we start by sorting kids into their age general age categories: Pre-K | Elementary | Middle School.

Within our age categories we then sort by ability level to make sure your child will have the most fun and appropriate learning progression with other children.

Once groups have formed, and throughout the program, riders will be able to “graduate” up to higher level groups as their skills progress.

Please understand that we will always do our best to move kids as soon as they are ready, we may not always be able to move children between groups within a class period given our low coach to student ratio and off-site riding (groups are not always near each other).

Making sure each kiddo is on the right bike is one of the most important factors when it comes to children riding safely and joyfully!

If the rider is on too small of a bike, the bike will not be able to safely control the rider causing speed wobbles.

Bikes that are too big hinder a child’s confidence, control, and ultimately their safety.

Please find more advice on proper bike sizing on our bike shop webpage.

Please visit our comprehensive FAQ page!

If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for on our FAQ page please reach out to our Family Champion team through email:

[email protected]