By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Aug 01, 2017 at 2:05 PM

In order to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout, Noah Kirchner needed to complete many tasks, including a large-scale service project called an Eagle Project.

Kirchner, who will be a senior at Whitefish Bay High School this fall, partnered with DreamBikes, a non-profit bike shop at 2021 N. Martin Luther King Dr. DreamBikes accepts bike donations and employs local kids to prepare them for resale at affordable prices.

On Saturday, Aug. 5, Kirchner – along with representatives from DreamBikes – will host "Learn To Ride Your Bike Day" at St. Marcus School, 2215 N. Palmer St. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The goal of the event isn’t just about teaching kids how to ride their bikes," says Kirchner. "It’s about preparing them for a life of safe cycling."

The free event offers kids of all ages to work with trained volunteers to learn how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Every kid who attends will receive a free helmet, water bottle and bike lock (while supplies last).

"We will use a special method called the ‘strider method’ which has had extensive success in teaching kids of all ages how to ride their bikes and how to do it safely," says Kirchner. "Using the strider method, our volunteers will work with the kids one-on-one, although parents are welcome to assist, to help them master their balance on a bicycle and eventually teach them how to ride unassisted in just hours."

Becoming an Eagle Scout was Kirchner’s ultimate scouting goal since he joined Boy Scouts in elementary school. As a competitive cyclist, Kirchner combines his passions to reach that goal.

"Bringing the idea of ‘Lean to Ride Your Bike Day’ to life has taught me many lifelong skills in leadership, organization and communication, and we hope it will teach kids who attend the event the lifelong skill of being able to ride a bike," says Kirchner.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.