Strider Bikes Announces 2015 National Championship Racing Series for Toddlers

Tiny STRIDER Riders to Compete on Specially-Designed Tracks from Coast to Coast

Rapid City, SD (February 19, 2015) — Strider Sports International Inc, the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of children’s no-pedal balance bikes, is pleased to announce the dates and locations for its 2015 STRIDER Championship Series, a national racing series for children. These family-friendly races for the tiniest competitors will give small children a chance to put their STRIDER balance bike skills to the test at four stops across the country this spring and summer, as well as the final worldwide event this fall, the STRIDER World Championship.

The unique STRIDER Championship Series caters directly to children between two and five years old who want to show off their riding skills and compete in a friendly atmosphere against other STRIDER riders from the region. Children of all sizes and skill levels are welcome to participate. STRIDER No-Pedal Balance Bikes are developed for both learning the ropes of riding and honing advanced skills in racing.

You’ll find STRIDER Championship Series races in the following cities this year:
• Saturday, April 25: Bradenton, FL on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
• Saturday, May 9: Ventura, CA at the Pier
• Saturday, June 6: Pittsburgh, PA at Station Square
• Saturday, August 8: Salt Lake City, UT Location TBD

There will be races for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds at each event. Registration fee is $25 online or $35 on site. Racers will receive a Strider goodie bag valued at more than $50 with their registration. Pre-registration is open now. Visit www.StriderBikes.com/ChampionshipSeries for further information.

New this year, Strider will host races and demo opportunities for athletes with special needs at each of the events. These athletes will race the 12” models, as well as Strider’s new, larger 16” and 20” balance bikes, which the company launched in 2014 specifically for the Special Needs Community. Strider bikes have transformed the lives of many individuals with special needs, such as those with Down syndrome, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy, by improving both physical and emotional health. The physical benefits mentioned by family members and physical therapists include improvements with motor skills, strength and balance. Some of the emotional benefits include freedom, confidence and increased social interactions with peers. Strider believes every person should have a chance to ride and last year gave more than $100,000 worth of bikes to the Special Needs Community.

A typical Strider race scene has young parents and grandparents holding their breath as bright yellow cowbells are rung and the starting gate drops. Toddlers, some still in diapers, lean forward, grasp their mini grips, kick their short legs, and embark upon their 600-foot plus journey over obstacles from dirt mounds to wooden ramps. All young racers are treated to an Olympic-style podium award ceremony immediately following their race, where trophies taller than some of the riders are given to top finishers. All participants receive medals and pose for the crowd of proud parents and spectators.

Participating in any of these events will automatically qualify the rider for the STRIDER World Championship. This series-ending race will be held August 28-29 in Rapid City, South Dakota — world headquarters for Strider Sports International, Inc.

About STRIDER® No-Pedal Bikes
STRIDER No-Pedal Balance Bikes were developed specifically to help toddlers and young children, as well as teenagers and adults, learn balance and coordination BEFORE pedaling. Strider’s trademark simplicity, lightweight design, durability, functionality, and easy adjustability teach riding to individuals of all ages abilities. With feet safely on the ground, a rider is able to easily maneuver, ride, and race the lightweight bikes. For more information about the product line, visit www.StriderBikes.com.

About Strider Sports International
Strider Sports International, Inc. designs efficient, no-pedal balance bikes that encourage people to ride, learn, and explore the world on two wheels. Founded by Ryan McFarland in January 2007, Strider Sports is a company staffed with passionate riders and sports enthusiasts of all types. The goal of Strider Sports is to simplify a bike to its essence, so that proper size and lightweight simplicity combine to eliminate any fear of riding and instill confidence in new riders. The STRIDER bike built for the inventor’s son is now recognized as a global brand, and Strider continues its mission to inspire riding with the creation of Strider riding events and competitions.