Register here: Learn to Ride: A Beginner Bike Class for Kids at BCT’s Northern Terminus #6 | AMC

Learn to Ride: A Beginner Bike Class for Kids

At the Northern Terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail

Get ready for a fun, supportive, and empowering outdoor experience! Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), is excited to offer a Learn to Ride bike class for kids at the northern terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail (BCT).

This beginner‑friendly class is designed for children who are new to riding on two wheels and are ready to build confidence in a safe, encouraging environment.

About the Class

Join Sarah Dolan, AMC’s Bay Circuit Trail Assistant, for a focused, one‑time 1.5‑hour Learn to Ride session dedicated to building essential early biking skills.

Class sessions will follow school‑year timing (3:00–4:30 p.m.) through June, and then transition to summer timing (typically 10:00–11:30 a.m.) for July and August, with breaks taken as needed. Exact session times will be listed at registration.

With multiple years of experience leading Learn to Ride programs, Sarah creates a positive, patient, and supportive space where children feel safe, encouraged, and successful as they begin their biking journey.

What Your Child Will Learn

The core focus of this class is balance, the foundation of confident, independent cycling. Through engaging, age‑appropriate activities and games, participants will gradually work through:

• Helmet Safety – Learning proper helmet fit and why it matters
• Bike Safety Basics – Building simple awareness skills for safe riding
• Getting On and Off a Bike – Practicing safe starts and stops
• Walking with a Bike – Developing control while guiding the bike
• Stopping Techniques – Learning to stop smoothly and safely
• Coasting – Experiencing the feeling of gliding on two wheels
• Balance Activities – A progression of confidence‑building exercises

Important Notes for Parents and Guardians

• Parent/Guardian Required: A parent or guardian must remain on site for the entire class. Shaded seating will be available.
• Breaks: Breaks will be taken as needed for stretching, water, and snacks.
• Siblings: Siblings are welcome to observe but may not participate in the class.

Required Gear

Please bring the following for your child:

• Helmet – Must fit properly and be worn at all times while on the bike
• Bike – In good working condition
• Pedals Removed – For initial balance work, please arrive with pedals already removed. We’ll explain how to reattach them at the end of class. If you need assistance or advice ahead of time, feel free to reach out.

Class Logistics

• Schedule: Each offering is a one‑day, 1.5‑hour standalone class. Multiple sessions will be offered throughout the summer (and possibly into September), but each class requires its own registration.
• Ages: Typically designed for children ages 5–12, with a maximum of three participants per class. Younger or older children may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis if they are true beginners.
• Location: The class takes place in the back parking lot of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950. The area will be coned off for safety. This site marks the northern terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail.
• Parking: Please park in the front lot, which remains open to other refuge visitors.
• Amenities: Restrooms and drinking water are available at the Visitor Center.

Our Goal

While we can’t guarantee that every child will be riding independently by the end of the 1.5‑hour session, our goal is for each participant to make meaningful progress and leave feeling more confident, capable, and excited about biking.

Ready to Get Rolling?

Help your child start a lifelong love of biking and the outdoors while building confidence, skills, and joy on two wheels. Join us for this engaging Learn to Ride class at the northern terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail—and register early, as space is limited to keep the experience focused, fun, and supportive for every young rider.