This summer, students in Marin City are building confidence, independence, and the skills to explore Marin on two wheels. Through a partnership between Cory’s Ride and Play Marin, elementary and middle school students are discovering that their community is more connected and more accessible than they ever imagined.
For participants, the program begins with learning the basics: how to ride confidently, fit a helmet properly, and safely navigate their neighborhoods. As the summer continues, students build on those skills by learning basic bike maintenance, understanding the rules of the road, planning safe routes, and preparing for longer bike adventures.
At Cory’s Ride, we intentionally teach neighborhood navigation and transportation skills because knowing how to ride safely gives students greater independence. It expands access to school, parks, jobs, and community resources while helping young people see bicycling as a practical way to get where they want to go, not just something they do for fun.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, students put those skills into practice on rides throughout Marin. For several students, these rides were their first visits to iconic destinations like Fort Baker, Rodeo Beach, Tennessee Valley, and even the Golden Gate Bridge. Many students realized for the first time that these destinations were places they could reach on their own by bike. By the end of the program, they not only knew how to get there, but had the skills and self-assurance to return with friends and family.
Every ride is an opportunity to practice teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving. Students learn to ride safely as a group, communicate with one another, and encourage their peers along the way. With every mile, they develop resilience and begin to see bicycling as a reliable way to reach the people and places that matter most to them.
Together, Cory’s Ride and Play Marin are helping Marin City youth build the skills and independence to explore their community by bike. By combining engaging summer programming with hands-on bicycle education, students gain practical skills that extend far beyond the bike. They leave with the ability to ride to school, visit friends, explore parks and trails, and experience their community in a new way.
The impact extends beyond the rides themselves. One of those students is Quincy, one of the youngest riders in the program. As he tackled new routes and challenges throughout the summer, his confidence grew with every ride. His parent shared, “I’m so proud of Quincy. He is facing fears and exploring with his friends. Epic.”
Programs like this partnership help build the next generation of capable riders while advancing MCBC’s vision of making bicycling safe, practical, and accessible for everyone in Marin.Every rider starts somewhere. This summer, it starts with a bike, a supportive community, and the opportunity to discover that Marin is theirs to explore.
