A Pragmatic Evaluation of the Riding for Focus Middle School Bicycling Program Using the RE-AIM Framework.

BACKGROUND

Bicycling can be a great way to support youth physical and mental health, yet participation among adolescents in the United States has steadily declined. School-based bicycling programs offer a promising approach to promote physical activity, but few in the United States have been comprehensively evaluated.

METHODS

This study applies the RE-AIM framework to carry out a pragmatic evaluation of Outride's Riding for Focus middle school bicycling program across 117 public schools onboarded between 2020 and 2022. We used student surveys, teacher implementation surveys, and national program data to assess the program.

RESULTS

Reach: The Riding for Focus program reached a diverse student population.

EFFECTIVENESS: Students reported high levels of program enjoyment, cycling confidence, and safety knowledge which aligned with teacher perceptions. There was an increase in self-reported student well-being and helmet use, but no changes were observed in cycling frequency or other health behaviors after the program. Adoption: The program was adopted across a wide range of school settings, representing 1.4% of public US middle schools serving low-income communities.

IMPLEMENTATION: Moderate to high levels of implementation fidelity were reported, and modifications were often reported. Maintenance: Of the schools onboarded before 2020, 79% were still running the program in 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting strong potential for program sustainability. Common challenges included equipment maintenance, staffing capacity, and scheduling flexibility.

CONCLUSIONS

This evaluation highlights the program's potential as a scalable, school-based bicycling intervention with high levels of student enjoyment. Future research should examine long-term maintenance and program refinement to ensure program longevity.