2025 Outride Research Summit Recap
The 2025 Outride Research Summit:
Cycling’s Impact on Wellbeing
On July 28, 2025, cycling advocates, researchers, and educators gathered at Specialized Bicycle Components Headquarters in Morgan Hill, CA, for the annual Outride Research Summit, where cycling met science and community impact. This year’s theme, the impact of cycling on our social, emotional, and cognitive health, was brought to life with stories, research, and programs from across the U.S. and Canada.
We heard from an incredible lineup of speakers that lit up not only the room but inspired new ideas and collaborations!
Shelby Stanger, Journalist, author, and podcast host known for “Wild Ideas Worth Living”
Highlight: Invitation to the audience to share their “wild ideas” to positively impact their community
Tanisha Bitsoi, Program Director of Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works
Highlight: Shared how cycling is fostering social connections and building confidence in young riders on the Navajo Nation
Dr. Fiona Bull, Physical Activity Unit at the World Health Organization
Highlight: Offered a toolkit of policy options for promoting walking and cycling in communities across the country and around the world
Lauren Schuck and Dr. Esther Walker, Researchers from Outride
Highlight: Riding a bike can positively impact several domains of well-being, including mood, social connection, physical health, and emotional resilience, and we see this in action in schools across the country
Dr. Cynthia Hartung, University of Wyoming
Highlight: Physical exercise can be an effective self-management strategy for many individuals with ADHD to reduce symptoms and improve focus, and research is working to better understand the mechanisms involved.
Poster SESSION and Expo
After the presentations, attendees explored the interactive expo and poster session, where researchers and program leaders sparked connections with each other, fostering collaboration and building community. Poster presentations featured innovative work by educators, program leaders, and student researchers, spotlighting grassroots initiatives and real-world impact.
The expo featured local, regional, and national organizations: PeopleforBikes, Project Bike Tech, Coastside on Bikes, Walk Bike Roll California, Girls Rock, Modo powered by Ecology Action, California Mountain Biking Coalition, eBike eCourse, Heart Tech Plus, and an EEG Brains on Bikes demo from the Outride team. We are so grateful for the community and conversations sparked by these organizations and programs and can’t wait to see the collaborations that come from the expo!
Why it mattered
This summit wasn’t just about ideas - it amplified impact:
Showcased evidence-based strategies linking cycling to wellbeing, social connection, academic engagement, and more
Demonstrated how programs like Riding for Focus connect research with programs in action
Created space for networking across disciplines, from policy advocates and researchers to community leaders and educators
Backed by Outride’s impressive track record since 2014, distributing over $10 million in grants, bikes, and programming to support more than 50,000 youth annually, the summit reinforced the nonprofit’s commitment to scaling impact through data, programs, and partnership.
The 2025 summit offered much more than research, it offered a blueprint for action, offering ways to collaborate with like-minded organizations and researchers and community engagement.
It was a day of ideas in motion, where the data-driven insights and cycling came together. Whether you're an educator, researcher, organizer, or parent, the summit reinforced one powerful truth: cycling can be an incredible tool to boost individual wellbeing and foster community.
Want more?
Dig into past summit resources
Want to join a network of individuals increasing the research around cycling’s impact on social, emotional, and cognitive health? Click here to join the Outride Research Pool
Learn more about Outride’s programs that are putting these impactful findings into action.
Have questions about findings shared at the summit? Reach out to us via research@outridebike.org.
Cycling isn’t just a mode of transportation, it’s a powerful tool to support wellbeing. The 2025 Outride Research Summit illustrated how research and real-world experience can together forge pathways to healthier, happier communities. We hope next year you’ll join us!