Meet the Founder of CYCLE Kids

Julianne Idlet is the founder and executive director of CYCLE Kids.

For CYCLE Kids founder and president Julianne Idlet starting a brand new organization to change kids’ lives through biking was not so different from her first jobs in high-tech marketing.

"I love being involved with things that are new and growing," says Julie. "That’s where the excitement is. And I’ve always been physically active. I’ve been biking since I was a young child, I ski and play tennis, and I’ve been on track teams. I love the feeling you get from being strong and fit. So starting CYCLE Kids was a natural.”

The need for a kids’ fitness-oriented organization became obvious to Julie in 2004, when she realized she was reading more and more about couch potato American children, especially in urban areas – kids who were eating too much, exercising too little, and even developing illnesses like heart disease and Type II diabetes.

To Julie, who rides a 28-mile route before work several mornings a week, the answer seemed clear: get kids on bikes. Today, hundreds of kids take part in CYCLE Kids and the program is still growing.

"My dream," says Julie, “is that communities and schools across the country will adopt CYCLE Kids, not only to give kids a way to have fun but to get them out there moving. There’s nothing quite like this program anywhere else."

Prior to CYCLE Kids, Julie worked for more than 20 years in the business world, primarily for start-up companies. Her experience includes developing and implementing strategic business plans, leading organizational transformation, and cultivating and growing effective leadership and team networks. She holds a BS in Marketing from Boston College.

Julie has been on the coaching staff of the Harvard University Cycling Team, focusing her efforts on new riders to encourage and motivate them to reach their highest levels of performance. She was known for her supportive and enthusiastic encouragement, which was integral to the team’s success.

As an avid cyclist who began riding a bicycle at a very young age, Julie’s vision for CYCLE Kids developed from a desire to share her passion and excitement for cycling with children, coupled with her concern about childhood obesity and the decline in health and fitness of children in the U.S.

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