Learn to Ride a Bike

Learn to Ride a Bike is back at Gipson Play Plaza in Dix Park, with sessions on June 25, July 29, and August 26, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. It's a free program for kids to learn how to ride a bike, and the whole thing is run in partnership with Oaks and Spokes, a non-profit working to make Raleigh a city where walking and biking are safe, accessible, and part of everyday life.

The program focuses on the one thing that actually matters when you're starting out: learning how to balance independently, without training wheels. Instead of just sitting on a bike and hoping for the best, the kids work through games and skill lessons in a safe, fun group environment. It's aimed at children who can confidently walk, jump, talk, and follow basic directions. Five and up is generally when kids are ready to learn, though every child is different.

One of the best parts is that you don't need to bring your own gear to get started. Every participant is provided with a balance bike—a bike without pedals or training wheels—and a helmet. If you'd rather use your own, you can bring your own bike and helmet, and the staff will convert it into a balance bike on the spot. The sessions run from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, so it's a morning thing that leaves the rest of your day open.

Registration is required and space is limited, so you'll want to sign up early if you're planning to go. The program is free to the public thanks to Dix Park Conservancy donors. You'll find it at Gipson Play Plaza, 715 Biggs Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603—tucked behind Slide Valley on Biggs Drive in Dix Park.