The health and wellbeing of young children is the foundation for developing strong communities. Wheel Fun (FUN) promotes wellbeing for rural Arizona’s youngest community members by improving public school students’ emotional, mental, and social states; teaching life skills, encouraging physical activity and spending time outdoors.

Wheel Fun is a nonprofit founded in the Verde Valley, Arizona. Our work began as an adventure educational program of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition (VVCC) in late 2017 when a road cyclist convinced the VVCC board to do more for the cycling community. We strive to get young people off electronic devices and outdoors onto mountain bikes! We are honored to offer free programs and mountain bikes to a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and identities who would otherwise be unable to participate.

Wheel Fun was established as a spin-off from the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition (VVCC) in 2019. This transition allowed the program to focus exclusively on youth cycling and outdoor education, while also making donations eligible for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. By narrowing its mission, Wheel Fun could grow with purpose, while the VVCC continued advancing its broader cycling initiatives.

As of 2025, over 2,000 students have participated in our programs, including 49 free after-school bike clubs. We’ve built four bike skills parks on public school campuses, with two more in development. As we look to the future, Wheel Fun is committed to expanding access to outdoor adventure by bike, reaching more students and more communities across Arizona.