E-bikes are not allowed at our programs to ensure a safe and consistent experience for all participants. We want all kids to use pedal power, encouraging fitness and skill development on equal footing, and to ride similar equipment for a fair and fun environment.
We have a small fleet of bikes available for use rent our programs ($25/day), please contact admin@wheelkids.com if you need to coordinate a rental.
We have a variety of programs with different refund policies and timelines. Please see our Refunds page for details.
We have a set of rules that we’d like our riders and their families to know about. The basic rules for our riders are:
- Be Safe
- Be Nice
- Have Fun
Of course there’s more to it than this, and there are some registration rules parents/guardians need to know. See our Club Rules page for details.
We identify different skill levels for our riders: Levels 1 – 6. We use these levels to help determine the most appropriate camp program for our kids and how to team them up when we go on rides.
See our Rider Skill Levels page for details and to find out what camp programs are best for your kid.
We encourage self-sufficiency in our riders but we don’t want them too loaded down when we ride. So, bring the basics – lunch, water, sunscreen – and see our special page for more details. Oh, don’t forget the bike and helmet…!
No. Wheel Kids provides services to kids of all cycling abilities. We have programs for novice and beginner riders who are trying to figure out the basics of riding, and lessons and camp programs for advanced beginner through advanced riders who want to have fun on their bikes and learn new skills. See out Rider Skill Levels for more information and to better place your child within Wheel Kids’ programs.
To ensure fairness we need to stick with our age limits. Chronological age and developmental levels aren’t always in sync. Some 4 year olds have the riding skills, stamina and cognitive abilities to be grouped with 7 and 8 year olds; but most don’t. We make very few exceptions, and they must be approved by the Director. If you believe your child is best suited for a camp outside of their age group, please give us a call to discuss. Please also note that in rare cases, we do dismiss children who are registered incorrectly.
Riding on-street is a skill that all cyclists should develop to allow them the maximum amount of bicycle-based mobility. The skills we practice during our Bike Skills Course help prepare your child for riding on-street. In addition to selecting appropriate routes for the group’s skill level, our coaches will take advantage of City infrastructure such as: Slow Streets and bike routes/lanes. Coaches may choose to ride on sidewalks for short periods when appropriate. Coaches also provide additional guidance and training for their riders, and provide safety measures (such as traffic control) when needed. Whenever possible we proportion the amount of on-street riding to skill level: Levels 3 & 4 will ride fewer on-street routes than Levels 5 & 6.
Please check the Equipment Requirement for the Camp or Program you’re signing up for. Single speed bikes for great for new riders: They allow kids to get comfortable on their bike and focus on the fundamentals without extra equipment. Gears are great, eventually. They allow kids to ride up hills easier and tackle longer rides more efficiently. If your kid’s bike has gears, that’s okay – we’ll work with them to learn how to use their gears properly. We do highly recommend our Level 4+ riders have a bike with gears. For our unsolicited advice about buying a bike, see this guide.
We’ve addressed that in this very website and are happy to do so in person or over the phone.
Two Wheelers programs and private lessons (when available) provide opportunities for people aged 4+ to learn how to ride. Please note that Two Wheelers or private lessons are the only programs we offer that are appropriate for kids using training wheels.
Yes. During camp we’re on the go all day so we need to be self-sufficient, which includes carrying food, water, any clothing layers that have been removed, etc. Our coaches are responsible for carrying the equipment needed for daily operations – first aid, tools, locks, games/balls, etc. – as well as their own provisions and are therefore unable to carry campers’ belongings.
Our preference is to ride, no matter the weather.
- Rain: If the forecast suggests light to moderate rain or chance of rain, pack a change of clothes and send along a rain jacket and other wet weather gear (but no umbrellas, please). In the event of moderate to heavy rain, we will make every effort to pivot to an indoor location.
- Heat: If extreme heat is in the forecast, we will alter our programming to include early morning bike riding, water activities, and possibly other pool days. In the event that Wheel Kids Directors deem it is unsafe to return to the camp starting location, parents may be asked to pick up their camper with bike at another location i.e. Swimming pool, library, etc.
- Smoke: We will do all we can to not cancel programs but must do so if health considerations require it. AQI Levels of 100 or above will require us to alter our programming. If we cannot provide appropriate indoor programming, we will cancel.
Due to the uncontrollable nature of these threats and our staff’s reliance on our program income we cannot guarantee a refund for weather related cancellations. Please review our Refund Policy for more information.
We ask for full-time attendance for a few important reasons. First, our riding skills progression starts on day one and builds throughout the week. Missing a day—especially early on—can set your child back in developing those skills and makes it harder for coaches to assess their ability level. Second, because we’re out and about all day, coordinating a mid-day pickup or drop-off can be challenging. It’s possible, but the logistics are often complicated. Finally, we maintain a low coach-to-rider ratio of 1:7 or better, which is easier to manage with consistent attendance. That said, if you need to arrange an early pickup, let us know and we’ll do our best to make it work—but please be prepared to pick up your child’s bike as well. And keep in mind that our location may shift unexpectedly due to mechanical issues or other unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate you helping us maintain consistency by dropping off and picking up at the scheduled time and location.
San Francisco, Peninsula, and East Bay Camps all typically offer bike parking for Summer Camps. Please note that bikes left overnight are not insured by Wheel Kids. We lock our bike storage spaces at night but can’t guarantee against risk of theft or damage. For school year programs, please check the program details to see if bike parking will be provided. If you’re unsure, please contact us for confirmation.
For full enrollment records (amount paid, dates, tax id, etc.) please refer to the confirmation email you received through Active when you registered. Our Tax ID is 27-1896836