Our Story

Inspiring Kids to Ride

At Strider, we love riding bikes, and we love inspiring kids to ride. Our mission is to build lightweight efficient, all-terrain bikes that develop two-wheeled balance, coordination, and confidence in children.

Where We Stand

Our Philosophy
- Strider builds quality products focused on proper fit and function for the rider.
- Strider believes in the importance of a strong brand identity.
- Strider supports distribution channels committed to educating customers.
- Strider serves customers with an empathetic, just, and generous heart.
Our Values
- Strider values a family-friendly workplace where the workdays fly by and the work itself feels like a grand adventure.
- Strider values passionate people who believe their efforts will change the world for the better.
Our Vision
Strider will be the #1 global brand that teaches kids to ride and inspires a lifelong love of riding.
We Believe
- Life is better when riding a bike.
- Balance leads to confidence, courage, and happiness.
- ANY child that can walk can learn to ride easily and safely.
- Your life as a parent gets better when your child is mobile.
- Kids are awesome.
- Failure is OK.
- Kids learn best through play.

Changing the world doesn’t happen overnight…

Strider was established in 2007 in Rapid City, SD, and the world has changed a lot since then. We’ve sold more than 4 million bikes around the world! From infant to young child, our balance bikes provide the entire learn-to-ride process with proven results. We know learning to ride doesn’t have to be a fail-until-you-succeed, intimidating, no-fun process for your child. There’s a better way.

Learn More

Strider is All In

Many kids face much greater challenges than learning to ride a bike. To do our part, we created the Strider Rider Fund to support local, national, and international charities addressing these challenges. We’ve committed 1% of gross revenue (that’s straight from the top) from every Strider Bike sold to help everyone (and we do mean everyone) to experience the freedom and joy that comes with riding.

Coming Soon

Our History

Changing the world doesn’t happen overnight…

In fact, Ryan McFarland, the founder of Strider Bikes, didn’t even set out to change the world. He just wanted to share his passion for bikes and motorcycles with his 2-year-old son, Bode.

The Problem

Ryan was a bit obsessed with that passion…to the point of spending over $2,000 worth of traditional learn-to-ride vehicles (ride-on toys, tricycles, training-wheel bikes, and even a training-wheel-equipped motorcycle). However, as he observed his eager young boy trying to operate these machines, he realized that they were all too large, too heavy, and too complicated. Plus, they didn’t focus on the fundamental skill of balance. The solution was either to wait a couple of years for his son to grow or build him a better machine – so he created the better machine!

The First Strider Bike

Ryan stripped, chopped, sanded, cut, and welded on Bode’s little 12″ bike until he came up with what would become the very first Strider Bike. It was super light, sized perfectly for Bode, and allowed him to put both feet on the ground. Bode took to the simple, lightweight machine immediately. Having such good control of the little bike boosted his confidence and advanced his skills quickly. People started noticing Bode riding his Strider around town. Ryan realized that it wasn’t just Bode who could benefit from his little garage creation; kids around the world could experience the same success, adventure, and freedom.

A Community, Not Just a Bike

Some clubs have a secret handshake or password – our club has a Strider Bike and a spirit of adventure. It’s about reminding each child of the power of freedom, friendship, and fortitude that comes with life on two wheels. Strider events connect riders from around the world, and offer members of our community a time and place to gather and celebrate riding together. Most importantly, these events are a whole lotta fun!

Passion for Education

We’re a passionate group of people, which is why we think it’s important to educate as many individuals as possible on how to ride a bike. We provide curricula and training materials that give schools, community organizations, and medical facilities the opportunity to provide the experience of life on two wheels. The lessons are an incredible way for Strider-certified instructors to successfully teach balance and skills to riders in an organized setting, in a way that creates a lifelong love of riding.

The Strider Rider Fund

From a garage start-up to being distributed in 75+ countries across the globe, we’re incredibly grateful to be inspiring kids through our products, events, and education efforts. To express our sincere gratitude and to help as many people experience an astonishing life on two wheels, we developed the Strider Rider Fund in 2014. Our commitment helps more organizations and public institutions to foster confidence and a passion of riding for everyone (and we mean everyone).

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