ORLANDO, Fla. — A group of Central Florida friends bonded by their love of cycling are now turning that passion into purpose. Through the Keep Pedaling Foundation, they’re helping kids and adults ride toward better health — both physically and mentally.
This week’s Everyday Hero, Keron Thompson, says sometimes healing starts with two wheels and a helmet.
What You Need To Know
Local kids received bikes, helmets, and safety training through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida — many riding a bike for the very first time
The Keep Pedaling Foundation uses cycling to promote physical and mental health, offering an outlet for stress, anxiety, and everyday life challenges
The nonprofit goes beyond bike rides, hosting weekly community rides and providing access to free therapy sessions for those in need
Helmets in hand and bikes lined up; the energy was high as second and third graders at the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida prepared to ride. For many of the kids, the day was about more than learning bike safety — it marked their first time owning and riding a bike.
“We chose second and third graders who were in need of bikes, and we base it on behavior and overall participation in our program,” said Boys & Girls Club Regional Director Nicco Palmero.
The bikes were donated through community partners, while the time and instruction came from volunteers with the Keep Pedaling Foundation. The smiles, organizers say, were priceless.
“Being able to have a brand new bike. I remember that feeling when I was a kid, being so excited,” Palmero said.
Leading the effort is Thompson, co-founder of the Keep Pedaling Foundation. What started as a simple weekend hobby with friends has grown into a mission centered on wellness and community.
“Our mission and vision is to promote physical and mental health awareness through the power of cycling,” Thompson said. “We pretty much took a hobby and figured out that hobby is really an outlet.”
An outlet, Thompson says, for stress, anxiety, and mental health struggles many people face in silence.
“That’s where we come in with mental health,” he said. “Riding a bike is an outlet.”
In addition to weekly group rides that welcome riders of all skill levels, the foundation also works to connect people with mental health resources, including offering free therapy sessions to members of the community.
“Right now we’re able to get six weeks of free therapy, but we’re building to try to make sure we can give more on a bigger scale,” Thompson said.
For the kids, the lessons extend well beyond the trail — focusing on safety, confidence, and responsibility.
“I learned to always ride your bike in the daylight and always have a helmet when you are riding your bike,” said Boys & Girls Club member Jasmyn Hicks.
Thompson says the goal is simple: to give others the same sense of freedom and healing that cycling gave him and his friends.
“We came together to make sure we could provide that same feeling to the community,” he said.
A simple ride, organizers say, turning into something powerful — proof that sometimes the road to healing starts with two wheels.