Apr 7th 2026
Making Bikes Accessible to All: Meet our Adaptive Program
At Strider, one of our biggest goals is giving as many kids as possible the opportunity to ride a bike. That’s why we started the Adaptive Program, which helps tiny tots who may have a limb or height difference get a bike that is perfect for them.
Through the guidance of Charlie, our Product Design and Fabrications specialist, and Shea, our Adaptive Program Coordinator, Strider makes biking adventures possible for young kiddos who may not otherwise have the opportunity to ride. Riding a bicycle is a thrill and skill every child deserves, and we’ve seen strength and confidence skyrocket as toddlers with limb or height differences join their friends on bike rides. Strider is honored to level the playing field and help them achieve increased mobility, independence, and confidence.
An Adaptive Past and Present
In 2025, the Strider team helped 25 kids feel the pure joy of balancing on two wheels with the wind in their hair. We also supported and celebrated several of our Adaptive Program graduates as they moved on to their next bike and stage of their riding journey.
In 2026, we are on a mission not only to help as many kids as possible, but also to have our biggest year yet! In partnership with Ram Mounts, Charlie and Shea have altered Strider balance bikes to fit each child’s limb or height difference and sent these bikes to their excited riders. The entire Strider office looks forward to hearing how the new riders feel when they take off on their first Strider, and photos and videos of each child’s success are joyfully shared among the team.
Lifelong Connections
The connections that are formed through the Adaptive Program are often lifelong. From joining the Strider family to receiving a custom-built bike, these experiences mean a lot to the families as well as the Adaptive team. We are deeply invested in each child’s success and celebrate every win along the way.
A special example of this is Piper — a sweet little gal with a lucky fin! Piper has modeled in our holiday catalog, been on PBS, and has joined us for two Strider Cups. Recently (much to the team’s excitement), she moved up to a 14x Convertible Bike and will be pedaling in no time!
Another special connection that has been forged through the Adaptive Program is with Ben and his family. Ben is a two-year-old who also happens to have a lucky fin. More importantly, he’s a little dude on an important mission — riding away with his brother toward the biggest adventures. Ben loves his bike so much that he isn’t shy about telling his dad, Daniel, to stop touching his adaptive piece. Per Shea, “Ben and his dad have been an absolute joy to work with.” Daniel started as a hopeful dad asking if we could adapt a bike and quickly turned into a deeply researched, passionate father who took the time to look into each and every avenue for his son to have the best experience. Dan investigated other bike companies before Strider, as well as met with companies for prosthetic/adaptive pieces before learning that —surprise — we really love our kids and will move mountains to help them. Just after Christmas, we received a long-awaited update: Ben took to his new bike like a seasoned pro. He’s thriving on two wheels and practically living his best bike-kid era while exploring the world more.
An Adaptive Future
This year, the program also charted new waters by helping two very special friends, Ellie and Penny. While they were new friends to the Strider team, they had already spent years as friends in real life! Ellie and Penny both have dwarfism and were ready for a shot at pedaling in a world where bikes their size are nearly impossible to find (especially not with the more stylish features they were after)! We were able to adapt our 14x to be the perfect height, and our in-house genius (fabrication specialist) was even able to shorten the pedal cranks, empowering them both to pedal away once they had mastered balance.
Through this program, not only are we able to help tiny tots and their families, but we are able to get to know the personalities of some pretty cool kids. Take Kennedy and Rowan for example — they are all about style. Kennedy needed a new helmet and handlebar streamers before she was ready to roll away. Rowan, the fashionista, needed new yellow shirts to match her new ride. Emil is such an avid biker, he has been spotted jumping on the bed — on his bike! Austin knows new tricks and loves that his hand doesn’t fall out of his adaptive piece. These little personalities and countless important moments have added up to big wins and even bigger grins.
Seeing confident kiddos riding Strider bikes and experiencing the world on two wheels is the best! Breaking barriers, helping kids, and making riding accessible for all is precisely what the Adaptive Program is for. At Strider, when we say everyone deserves to know the love of life on two wheels, we mean it. If your child is in need of an Adaptive Strider Bike, please fill out our Adaptive Strider Program contact form to tell us all about your child’s modification needs, limb differences, measurements, grip, and more. The team can’t wait to work with your special kiddos.