Building Skills with Wheelie Big Purpose

At Wheelie Good Ride Academy, we want every kid in Lincoln to discover the joy of riding a bike. Our goal is simple: make biking fun, accessible, and something every family can do together.

About Coach Dana

Hey, I'm Dana Stefanidis, and I’m the owner of Wheelie Good Bike Shop here in Lincoln, Nebraska. We’re your local full service mobile bike shop. Selling bikes, fixing flats, tuning gears—whatever you need—we show up wherever you are. You’ve got enough going on, so we want bike repairs and maintenance to be the easy part. You focus on the fun stuff—riding! Whether you’re new to bikes, dusting yours off after a long break, or you just can’t stay off one, we're here to help you.

Cycling’s always meant more to me than just a hobby. When I was a kid, that bike meant freedom. I could escape, clear my head, just feel lighter for a while. It still does that for me. It's not about racing from point A to B—it's about getting outside, moving your body, catching your breath. Doesn’t matter how old you are or how fast you go, it just makes you feel good.

That's what sparked Wheelie Good Ride Academy. I started it because I want kids and families to get why riding a bike feels so amazing. It’s not just a skill to learn—it’s a boost of confidence, a way to see the world differently. I want every new rider to catch that feeling for themselves.

After the pandemic, I started hearing from teachers—how routines fell apart, kids felt stressed, a little lost. Classrooms felt different; students weren’t really connecting like before. That hit home for me. I realized how much something simple, like moving your body, matters. Riding a bike isn’t just “working out.” It’s an exit ramp out of the fog. It gives kids a reason to get outside, to feel the sun and wind on their face, to hang out with friends or find some space to themselves. That’s what a bike can really bring —somewhere to belong, some spark of well-being.

My wish for the Ride Academy? To give kids more than just the ability to ride. I want them to find their confidence, reconnect with others, just feel a bit more normal again. It might be a small step, but honestly, getting those wheels rolling helps kids start feeling like themselves—inside and out.

Sign up today!