Outride

Research:Outride's research program advances understanding of how cycling supports cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. In 2024, we expanded our impact through both applied research and academic collaboration. We were awarded two new research grants to study the effects of cycling in nature on student mental health and to explore cycling's influence on brain health across the lifespan. These projects launched new partnerships with Loma Linda University School of Medicine and the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, Outride awarded two research grants to support the evaluation of youth cycling programs and their impact on social-emotional learning outcomes, in collaboration with the University of Wyoming (Laramie Middle School) and the University of Utah (Hillside Middle School). We prioritized public dissemination of findings by presenting at multiple conferences and workshops, and by hosting our annual Outride Summit to share insights on the impact of cycling on health.

Outride Fund/Community Grants:Outride's Community Impact Grant empowers local communities to invest in youth cycling programs through direct grants. In 2024, Outride awarded one round of Community Impact Grants. This, the seventh round, committed over $350,000 in grants to 43 organizations focused on providing cycling programming to help youth improve their well-being. Outride's Community Impact Grant has now committed over $2,500,000 in grants via 255 community grants in 45 states since its inception in 2019.Grantees include organizations like Prime Ability Youth Cycling, a community organization working with youth from Washington DC to use cycling as a empowerment tool and to build leadership skills. The program also supported the BikeLibrary in Iowa City, Iowa, whose mission is empower people to make bicycling a primary form of transportation in their community through various programs.