Auburn Summer Ride program returns for its fourth year
Published 3:05 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Cycle Therapy Racing and the City of Auburn’s Parks, Arts and Recreation department have partnered for the fourth year in a row for their Summer Ride program.
The free program at Cedar Lanes Bike Park, 1002 25th St. SE, is offered from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays throughout the summer.
Cycle Therapy Racing is a nonprofit that opened its doors in 2022 to support community members experiencing mental health challenges through cycling. This alternate method of therapy aims to address stress, anxiety, depression and isolation.
“We promote healthy outdoor recreation, peer connection, a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities and breakdown barriers for families that face financial hardship,” said President Brent Azus.
The goal of the Summer Ride program is a collaborative effort to support the Auburn community through outdoor healthy recreation and foster peer to peer interaction. Children have the opportunity to have one-on-one skill lessons, ride on the trails and the Pump Track at the park.
Bikes and helmets of all sizes are available to borrow, according to a Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Facebook post.
The Summer Ride program has seen a large amount of growth since it began. According to Azus, in the first year, 577 children were served through the program. In its second year that number grew to 780. Last year it jumped to 1,122 children. The goal of the program is to reach even more children this summer and to continue to build community.
“The more participation we have, the longer we will be able to continue sustaining this program for the foreseeable future,” Azus said.
Additionally, as the amount of participants grows, the impact of the Summer Ride program grows with it.
“We continue to offer more bikes, helmets, instruction, and mentorship. Best of all, we are able to offer alternatives to sitting inside on screens,” Azus said.
The program will continue to run throughout the summer.
“Working alongside Auburn Parks & Rec, and the City of Auburn has been nothing short of amazing,” Azus said.
