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Julianne Idlet

Julianne Idlet is the Founder and Executive Director of CYCLE Kids, a program dedicated to promoting physical activity and emotional well-being among children through cycling. CYCLE Kids began as an afterschool initiative in Boston and has since expanded to operate in elementary schools nationwide, focusing on providing students with the benefits of bike riding, including confidence, focus, and health.1

Background and Motivation

Before founding CYCLE Kids in 2004, Idlet had a corporate career in the fintech sector and was involved with the Harvard University cycling team. Her inspiration for starting the program stemmed from concerns about rising rates of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease among children, coupled with a noticeable decline in biking among youth. She aimed to create opportunities for children to ride bikes, thereby enhancing their physical health and emotional resilience.12

Program Details

CYCLE Kids offers a structured physical education curriculum that includes bike safety, nutrition, and riding lessons. The program provides schools with bikes, helmets, and instructional materials. It specifically targets low-income communities where children may lack access to such resources. The initiative has shown significant positive impacts on students' confidence and academic performance.1

Recognition

Idlet's leadership has not gone unnoticed; she received the 2022 United Nations Special Award for her contributions to promoting cycling among children. This recognition highlights her commitment to making a difference in children's lives through active engagement and empowerment.34

Personal Impact

Idlet finds great fulfillment in witnessing the transformative effects of CYCLE Kids on participants. The program not only helps children develop biking skills but also fosters a sense of independence and belonging, which can lead to lasting positive changes in their lives.1

Highlights

Feb 1 · linkedin

Hello network friends,

Amazing news: we have been asked by 30 elementary schools in Brooklyn for #cyclekids programs! It's a big ask for our small, but mighty non-profit, so I am reaching out, looking to widen our network of contacts for potential donors (anyone who loves kids, bikes, Brooklyn or all!), companies who might make a donation or fully sponsor a school program, employees or teams that want to collaborate on a bike build for a school, or any kind of corporate sponsorship.

As some of you know, I am the founder of CYCLE Kids, a small non-profit that has been helping schools with underserved populations with bikes and bike safety & wellness programming for over 20 years. Our program costs approx $25k per school, so it's not a small ask - but the bikes and the effect of our programs last for years. 

We've grown over 60% in 2022 alone (it's been a busy year) and we're  thrilled there is so much excited interest from Brooklyn public schools for our program. Our public schools and kids need our support now, more than ever.

Please share or pass this along if you know anyone who would be interested! Or send me a note if you have any ideas that you want to share privately. We are hoping to fundraise and apply for grants early this spring to help-out these schools.

Thanks for the time. Please share this post to help these Brooklyn public schools. #cyclekids #schools #programming #wellness #help

Related Questions

How did Julianne Idlet transition from a corporate career to founding CYCLE Kids?
What inspired Julianne Idlet to focus on bike riding for kids' emotional and physical health?
What are some success stories from CYCLE Kids programs?
How does CYCLE Kids measure the impact of their programs on children?
What challenges did Julianne Idlet face when starting CYCLE Kids?
Julianne Idlet
Julianne Idlet, photo 1
Julianne Idlet, photo 2
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Location

Cambridge, Massachusetts