BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The All Kids Bike program is committed to teaching kindergarteners all throughout the nation how to ride a bike.

For many people, some of their most cherished childhood memories were created when they learned how to ride a bike.

Now, the students at Standing Rock Community Elementary School are going to learn how to do just that — right here in the classroom.

Thanks to the Coca-Cola bottling company in Rapid City and their partnership with All Kids Bike, the Kindergarteners at Standing Rock Elementary were in for a fun surprise, hidden under a parachute in their gym.

When asked what he thought would be under the parachute, kindergartener Hendrix replied, “A pet koala.”

Though some students were a little bit disappointed in what the surprise was (not a koala) — most all of them were excited to try out the bikes — and they’re excited to get better at it, too.

When asked what she’s most excited about the bikes, kindergartener Delilah responded, “Just doing practicing.”

Strider bikes don’t have pedals, so kids can focus on learning how to balance; additionally, they come with a curriculum their PE teacher Jessie Valerio is excited to guide them through.

“That curriculum is really you know, teaching balance, endurance, agility, all those types of things that come along with learning how to ride a bike,” explained Standing Rock Principal Jackie Maxon-Talley.

Maxon-Talley believes the bikes will give students the opportunity to experience simpler things, while technology becomes more and more prevalent.

“It’s really important that our kids still experience all of the other things, playing, riding that bike, having that fresh air, exploring, and like they explained today, exploring and going fast is super exciting for kids,” Maxon-Talley explained.

Coca-Cola representative Tura Synhorst is also happy to invest in the futures of the students.

“We’re just so delighted that they’re building those healthy habits for a lifetime,” shared Synhorst. “An active, healthy lifestyle and being able to ride a bike is a skill that they’ll have from now, through the rest of their lives.”

Throughout the lifetime of the bikes, Standing Rock educators are hoping about 600 kids can enjoy learning how to ride.

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