READ UP ON THE LATEST
PEDALPOWER KIDS MEDIA COVERAGE
RACHEL VARN, THE BIKE WHISPERER OF SEVERNA PARK
Whenever you need a little pick-me-up, go visit the Instagram or Facebook page for Rachel Varn’s PedalPower Kids. You’ll find hundreds of photos of kids, from tiny preschoolers to early teens, grinning at the camera from the seat of the bikes they’ve just learned to ride.
GIVING POWER TO KIDS TO PEDAL – EXPLORING NEW FREEDOMS
Most of us can remember the first time we rode a bike, many of us can remember it vividly. It’s one of those significant milestones of early childhood that often becomes family lore as well- i.e., “that time Dad pushed Jane down the hill.”
On a sunny, breezy spring day, a group of children, 4 to 7 years old, sit on their bikes, helmets and gloves on, ready to start their biking lesson. Their moms, standing nearby, watch them closely, feeling proud that their little ones are learning how to ride.
HOW A SEVERNA PARK MOM MADE A CAREER OF TEACHING KIDS TO RIDE BIKES
Every “now I can” moment — when students who have mastered balance, gliding and pedaling ride on their own for the first time — is exciting, says Varn, a 36-year-old Severna Park resident. And it sends a kid’s confidence soaring.
PEDALPOWER KIDS: BUILDING CONFIDENT AND SAFE CYCLISTS
On this episode of the Shift Up podcast, Bike Shop Girl owner, and podcast host Arleigh Greenwald sits down with Rachel Varn to talk about building confident and safe cyclists.
MACKID REVIEW: PEDALPOWER KIDS: RIDE LIKE A SUPERHERO!
Enter Rachel Varn: "The Bike Whisperer". You guys, she's the REAL deal. She rolled up in her van that was stockpiled with various size bikes. Rachel might as well have been wearing a superhero cape because my self-proclaimed 'ladies' man' was all heart-eyes for her as soon as she got out. But then...and this is important: she got out the bike gloves.
PEDAL POWER KIDS - AROUND THE BLOCK IN ANNAPOLIS - EPISODE 4
We are super excited about this weeks episode of Around The Block in Annapolis! We interview Rachel with Pedal Power Kids, and amazing company that teaches kids to ride bikes. After our oldest (Leo, 5) was having confidence issues trying to get rid of training wheels.
Gavin Buckley dazzled voters with his joie de vivre and his accent and his big ideas during the election. He’s talked about putting bike lanes downtown since at least 2015. He wanted to install a trolley on Main Street — he’s tabling that idea for now.
PedalPower Kids' Rachel Varn, center, works with sisters Olivia McKeown, left, 4, and Nora McKeown, 2, of Annapolis and Olivia Brown, right, 6, of Annapolis during Annapolis Bike Day in Annapolis on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
After a successful first spring and summer, PedalPower Kids held a ribbon cutting through the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its opening. Under the direction of Rachel Varn (seen here doing the honors of cutting), PedalPower Kids offers instruction for children of all ages and skill levels.
RISE FOR AUTISM'S ICAN! SHINE BIKE CAMP SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
With Korin and Newborn were first-timers Rachel Varn, a Severna Park resident who’s started a business called Pedal Power Kids, and county bike patrol officer Dominic Scali.
At PedalPower Kids, getting more kids on bikes starts with providing high-quality, professional, encouraging instruction that builds confidence and trust.
This week’s Why Wednesday: “Why We Ride to Local Spots”
When our campers ride to local spots, they’re not just visiting them—they’re learning how to get there. They start to recognize streets, make connections, and understand their community in a way you can’t from the backseat of a car.
It’s the moment a place goes from “somewhere we went” to “somewhere I know how to go.”
That’s where independence starts, and why those same stops become part of their summer, and something they can return to long after camp ends.
The earlier kids get comfortable on a bike, the more the world opens up for them.
Our Learn to Balance & Pedal Minis class is designed to build that foundation early, helping young riders gain confidence, coordination, and independence in a fun, supportive setting.
It’s also a game-changer for families. When younger siblings learn sooner, they can keep up with older ones, making family bike rides easier, smoother, and more enjoyable for everyone.
Spots are limited—join us starting April 25.
Late spring riding starts now 🌸
We still have a few spots open in our Learn to Ride programs, perfect for getting kids confident on their bikes before summer!
Tuesdays | Learn to Ride
📅 4/21–5/19
🕔 5:15–6:05 PM
📍 1120 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD
Wednesdays | Learn to Ride
📅 4/22–5/20
🕓 4:15–5:05 PM
📍 8855 Veterans Hwy, Millersville, MD
Thursdays | Bike Club: Learn to Ride Level 2
📅 4/23–5/21
🕙 4:15-5:30PM
📍 110 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD
Saturdays | Learn to Balance & Pedal Minis
📅 4/25–5/23
🕙 10:00–10:45 AM
📍 8855 Veterans Hwy, Millersville, MD
Small groups, big confidence, and a whole lot of fun on two wheels.
Spots are limited, link in bio
This week’s Why Wednesday: "Why We Ride with a Coach in the Front, Middle, and Back"
The coach in the front sets the pace, watches for oncoming cars, bikers, and pedestrians, and signals when the group needs to slow or stop.
The coach in the middle keeps the group connected, making sure riders don’t get too spread out and stepping in quickly if someone needs help or takes a fall.
The coach in the back makes sure no rider is left behind, supports the last riders in the group, and helps manage safe street crossings by moving up to check crosswalks when needed.
This structure allows kids to ride confidently, stay together, and focus on enjoying the experience, while we make sure every rider gets where they’re going safely.
Google can show you a place, but it can’t show you the memories.
The ride there with your friends, pulling up to a favorite local spot, laughing over snacks, cooling off after a long ride, the feeling of being out all day, those are the moments that never show up online.
Let’s make some memories this summer!
