Riding for Focus is an evidence-based PE program developed by Outride that is now in over 400 schools across the U.S. and Canada. It uses biking to support student health, focus, and academic success. In Arizona, Wheel Fun has provided support to several schools by bringing our free after-school bike clubs to their communities.

Riding for Focus (R4F) is an evidence-based physical education program developed by Outride, now implemented in over 400 schools across the U.S. and Canada. Serving more than 50,000 students annually, the program uses biking to support student health, focus, and academic achievement through structured in-school riding.

In Arizona, Cottonwood Community School in Cottonwood began implementing the program after receiving a grant from the Outride Fund in 2021. As part of the launch, the school received 25 Specialized Rockhopper bikes and Centro helmets in March 2022. Verde Valley Bicycle Company (VVBC) volunteers assembled and delivered the bikes within 24 hours. Special thanks to Greg and the VVBC team for their support in making this rollout a success.

In fall 2022, Wheel Fun partnered with Outride to bring Riding for Focus to Mountain View Preparatory and Oak Creek School in the Verde Valley. To help meet growing demand, Wheel Fun contributed bikes from its after-school club inventory and ordered additional equipment to ensure all students could participate.

In 2023, Dr. Daniel Bright School in Cottonwood joined the R4F network, further expanding cycling access and education in the Verde Valley. Wheel Fun supported implementation through teacher training, bike fleet setup, and technical assistance.

The program continued to expand in 2024, with El Capitan School and Cottonwood Elementary School in Colorado City implementing Riding for Focus. Wheel Fun provided support to these schools by maintaining bike fleets and extending student access through our free after-school mountain biking clubs.

In fall 2025, Rim Country Middle School in Payson will become the newest Arizona school to launch Riding for Focus, with Wheel Fun providing continued implementation support.

R4F design goals to:

• Equip students for safe, effective use of cycling for lifelong well-being
• Refine a program that documents results and continues to improve through data collection and best practices
• Positively impacts the quality of instruction provided by professionals
• Positively influence physical activity curricula across the country

R4F was designed to align with these criteria:

• Based on important outcomes
• Consistent with the body of knowledge of bicycling education and bicycling skills
• Systematic
• Effective – documentable
• Replicable
• Adaptable to changes in contexts
• Cutting edge

The curriculum strives to meet these criteria through specifically designed elements within the training, ongoing updates and evaluation, data collection, and continued program support.