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PEDALING FOR PARKINSON’S

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Kevin Kwok wearing a cycling jersey and smiling as he does a Pedaling for Parkinson's workout
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Davis Phinney wearing a cycling jersey, smiling, and giving a thumbs up while riding a stationary bicycle in a Pedaling for Parkinson's class.
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About the Program

The Pedaling for Parkinson’s™ program is informed by research demonstrating that consistent, high-cadence cycling can help reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s.

To maximize the benefits of the program, riders and instructors are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

  • Frequency: 3 times per week
  • Time: 30+ minutes each session
  • Cadence: 75+ rpms (or “uncomfortably fast” if you cannot achieve 75rpms). The cadence can be achieved during steady state riding or during interval training.

Classes are adaptable to various ability levels and stages of Parkinson’s. Instructors are supported in creating class plans that meet the unique needs of their rider community.

For convenience, most programs are offered on indoor, stationary bikes and hosted at local YMCAs, gyms, or other community spaces.

Participants who ride three days a week over eight weeks have shown improvement in their Parkinson’s-related symptoms by as much as 35%. Classes usually meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Pedaling for Parkinson's class

A typical Pedaling for Parkinson’s class includes an instructor and as many participants as bikes are available at each facility. Class sizes range anywhere from three to 30 participants.

  • Participants should be able to secure their feet in or on the pedals and maintain a safe and suitable body position to stay on the bike throughout the duration of the class.
  • Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable exercise clothes (cycling clothes are not required) and bring a water bottle.
  • Participants are encouraged to remain seated on the stationary bicycle for the duration of the class.

To learn more and see if Pedaling for Parkinson’s is right for you, download our Rider Guide.

The Story Behind the Ride

Jay Alberts riding a tandem bike with two kids behind him at RAGBRAI - Davis Phinney Foundation
It Started with a Tandem Bike

In 2003, neuroscientist Dr. Jay Alberts and Cathy Frazier, who lives with Parkinson’s, rode a tandem bicycle during RAGBRAI, a multi-day ride across Iowa.

As they pedaled, Cathy noticed something remarkable:

“I felt like I didn’t have Parkinson’s anymore.”

 
That ride changed everything — sparking years of research into the powerful link between cycling and symptom relief.

Dr Jay Alberts
From Discovery to Program

Backed by funding from the Davis Phinney Foundation in 2009, Dr. Alberts developed a structured cycling protocol based on what would become known as — high-cadence riding that improves motor and cognitive function.

The early results were so promising that clinical trials soon evolved into full community classes. Pedaling for Parkinson’s was born.

A cyclist on a stationary bicycle squinting while working hard
From Research to Results

By 2013, Pedaling for Parkinson’s had expanded to YMCAs, gyms, and community spaces across the country. Today, local instructors lead classes using the original protocol, helping participants feel stronger, steadier, and more confident.

This simple, repeatable approach has been scientifically and anecdotally proven to help people with Parkinson’s live well — not someday, but right now.

Davis Phinney riding an indoor stationary bike with a Pedaling for Parkinson's class
A Perfect Partnership

In 2023, Dr. Alberts entrusted the Davis Phinney Foundation with full stewardship of Pedaling for Parkinson’s. With deep cycling roots and a mission rooted in exercise and empowerment, the Foundation is expanding the program nationwide — making it accessible to more people than ever before.

Jay Alberts riding a tandem bike with two kids behind him at RAGBRAI - Davis Phinney Foundation
Dr Jay Alberts
A cyclist on a stationary bicycle squinting while working hard
Davis Phinney riding an indoor stationary bike with a Pedaling for Parkinson's class
Pedaling for Parkinson's logo in white

The Research That Moves Us

For over 17 years, Dr. Alberts and his team at the Cleveland Clinic have studied the impact of forced and high-intensity aerobic exercise on people living with Parkinson’s.

Their findings?

  • Improved motor function
  • Better cognitive performance
  • Reduced symptom severity
  • Enhanced quality of life

Science backs what our riders already know: movement is medicine.

Contact Us

Thank you to our program sponsor