Can riding a bike help improve brain health, strengthen communities, support healthy aging, and help young people thrive?

These were some of the questions explored at Outride Day 2026, where nearly 400 attendees gathered at Specialized Bicycle Components' headquarters to celebrate the power of the bike to support social, emotional, and cognitive well-being across the lifespan.

What began years ago as a research-focused summit has evolved into something much bigger. This year’s Outride Day brought together science, community, and cycling through three connected experiences: the Outride Summit, Community Expo, and for the first time, a Specialized Open House, demonstrating the power of cross-sector collaboration while supporting Outride’s mission to improve lives through cycling.

Researchers shared emerging evidence connecting cycling and brain health. Teachers described the transformations they’ve witnessed in students through school cycling programs like Riding for Focus. Community leaders discussed expanding equitable access to bikes. Older adults shared how cycling continues to support independence, connection, and purpose throughout life. Attendees also explored interactive experiences like Brain on Bikes activity and behind-the-scenes tours of Specialized’s WIN Tunnel and museum, creating a unique gathering where science, education, advocacy, and cycling came together around the idea that everyone deserves access to the benefits of riding a bike.

RESEARCH IN ACTION: THE OUTRIDE SUMMIT

The Outride Summit remains at the heart of Outride Day, bringing together researchers, educators, advocates, and community leaders to explore how cycling can improve brain health and well-being. This year’s program reflected Outride’s expanded mission to support well-being through cycling across the lifespan, with conversations spanning healthy aging, youth development, and community well-being. Below are just a few of the highlights.

*Two lifestyle interventions in U.S. POINTER improved cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline.* *Learn more here.*

Brain Health at Every Age

Claire Day and Gene Girimonte, representing the Alzheimer’s Association, highlighted the growing evidence connecting healthy lifestyle behaviors and brain health. They shared how behaviors like getting enough physical activity can have profound impacts on brain health. Cycling can be a great way to get more active as it’s adaptable to different mobility limitations and can be a great way to reduce stress. And the best part? It’s never too late to start.

Cycling and Aging Well

*Explore the latest findings from the* *50+CYCLING SURVEY*

Dan Burden of Blue Zones shared stories from a lifetime of advocacy and exploration, including journeys stretching from Alaska to Argentina. He shared how bikes can do more than provide transportation, they can transform careers and passions and turn us into advocates and changemakers. From walking audits to urban design, to innovation at Blue Zones, Dan continues to be an incredible force for advancing biking access.

Carol Kachadoorian of DTC (formerly dblTilde Core) presented findings from her nationally recognized 50+ Cycling Survey, the only survey of its kind, providing valuable insights into the experiences of older riders and mobility. She shared how important it is to include the voices of older adults in this work, along with a few key takeaways from the survey, including:

Cycling supports identity, purpose, and quality of life

Social support and belonging matters

Caregiving responsibilities can reduce cycling opportunities

Cycling adapts as people age – no one-size-fits-all

Safe cycling environments depend on both infrastructure and confidence

E-bikes can help extend mobility and confidence

Design and maintenance shape everyday decisions

Falls and injuries are a turning point, but not the end.

The survey summarizes why older adults continue to cycle as they age, how they adapt to the effects of aging, what creates a safe and comfortable cycling environment, and how cycle rates change due to changing life circumstances. Importantly, there is no single way to age on a bike, and access matters at every stage of life.

What We are Learning from Youth Programs

*These results hold even when controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, amount of physical activity, etc.*

Outride’s Senior Research Manager, Lauren Schuck, shared insights from the Riding for Focus program, highlighting how the nature of cycling as an activity can have powerful effects on well-being and brain health, from keeping youth active, to taking a break from screentime to providing access to nature. She also shared that youth who ride more frequently consistently report higher levels of psychological well-being, even after accounting for factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, and overall physical activity levels.

The findings continue to build evidence for what teachers and students consistently report: the bike can be a powerful tool for supporting confidence, connection, and overall well-being.

Learn about our evaluation of Riding for Focus at this blog.

Programs in Action

*Outride Summit 2026 Panelists*
*Photo edits:* *Brian Rimm*

The Summit concluded with a panel discussion featuring Shawn Byrd (Flat Rock Middle School), Lisa Chee (Indian Health Service, Navajo Area Office), and John Glodek (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School), moderated by Chazz Robinson (Outride).

Panelists shared firsthand stories about how cycling programs are strengthening communities, building resilience, and increasing confidence among youth, creating opportunities far beyond the bike itself. They also reiterated importance of increasing access to biking opportunities for these students and having stable access to equipment and safe places to ride.

Stay tuned as we release our webinar recordings and reach out to research@outridebike.org with any questions!

BUILDING CONNECTIONS: THE COMMUNITY EXPO

Following the Summit, the campus opened to the public for the community expo.

More than 20 organizations came together to showcase how cycling is creating positive change across California and beyond. Attendees connected with local nonprofits, advocacy groups, trail organizations, youth and older adult programs, and community partners working to expand access to riding. The Expo highlighted how important collaboration is in this work, and how the transformations seen in schools, neighborhoods, and communities is only possible because of the many individuals and organizations working together to make riding more accessible.

Your Brain on Bikes: Bringing Science to Life

*Outride Brains on Bikes Demo*
*Photo edits:* *Brian Rimm*

While the Summit explored the research, the Brain on Bikes activation gave attendees a chance to experience it.

Throughout the day, visitors interacted with an installation that transformed complex neuroscience into something visual, interactive, and accessible, helping attendees connect the science behind cycling to their own experiences.

Participants were invited to peek at their brain activity, while learning how cycling and physical activity can support functions such as attention, memory, emotional regulation, coordination, and overall well-being.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT SPECIALIZED

Specialized Bicycle Components, Outride’s founding partner, joined in on the Outride Day celebrations, opening its campus and providing visitors with rare access to areas of the Specialized campus that are not often open to the public.

Guests explored:

The WIN Tunnel, where engineers test the aerodynamics of products and professional athletes.

The Human Performance Lab, home to advanced bike fit and performance research.

The Specialized Bicycle Museum, showcasing the company's history, innovation, and collection of unique and iconic bicycles created by Robert Egger.

The Open House offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at how design, engineering, and rider experience come together to support cyclists at every level.

*Farrar Brothers Mountain Bike Trials Stunt Show*
*Photo edits:* *Brian Rimm*

We were also stunned with the skills on display by the Farrar Brothers’ Mountain Bike Trials Stunt Show. Everyone was on the edge of their seats as Ian and Sean Farrar showed off their precision on the bike, jumped several feet in the air, and hopped over brave volunteers. Be sure to give them a follow as they continue defending their spots as #1 and #2 Trials Riders in the country.

THANK YOU!

With nearly 400 attendees participating throughout the day, Outride Day 2026 marked a new milestone for Outride.

The event showcased how far the organization has come, from a research-focused summit to a community gathering that connects science, education, community leadership, innovation, and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their expertise, volunteered their time, and helped make Outride Day possible. We look forward to continuing this work together and can't wait to see you at a future event.

Outride Day 2026!