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Start a Class

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Getting Started Guide

Pedaling for Parkinson’s classes can be initiated by trainers, advocates, and facilities, and we’d love to support you in getting one started near you. Download the guide below to learn more about how to launch a class in your community.

Interest Forms

To help us understand where you’re starting from, please complete one of the interest forms below. A staff member will review your information and reach out to help you take the next steps toward bringing Pedaling for Parkinson’s to your area.

Have other questions before you start? Check out our FAQs below or get in touch with our staff at [email protected] or by calling 1-866-358-0285.

Facilities

Is there a cost to sign the licensing agreement? How often does it need to be renewed?

As of July 1, 2025, the Davis Phinney Foundation requires a licensing fee of $1,000 per location per year. This annual fee allows facilities to provide free online training for an unlimited number of instructors who hold an NCCA-accredited certification, and includes access to a wide range of support and benefits to ensure program success, including:

  • National marketing and brand building to position Pedaling for Parkinson’s as a trusted, well-known program
  • Ongoing engagement with researchers, Parkinson’s experts, and sports curriculum designers to continually improve training materials and knowledge for instructors
  • Free access to Davis Phinney Foundation resources for your riders including our Every Victory Counts® manual, print booklets, Ambassador network, and more
  • A library of marketing assets you can customize and print for your facility
  • Geotargeted outreach to the Foundation’s constituent database to grow program participation (upon request)
  • Discounts and special offers from Pedaling for Parkinson’s™ partners – coming 2025
What does the foundational training course cover for my instructors?

The PFP foundational training course covers important information about the program research and framework as well as key information needed to work safely with the Parkinson’s community. Specifically, your instructors will learn:

  • Background and history about Pedaling for Parkinson’s and the research behind it
  • How to lead the class and make it safe and interesting for participants
  • Information about Parkinson’s symptoms, especially those that may create challenges for participants in the class setting
  • Guidance on fitting a bike for a person with Parkinson’s
  • Information on how to anticipate and troubleshoot potential challenges that may come up when teaching the Parkinson’s community
How many instructors can be trained per facility?

There is no limit to the number of instructors who can receive the foundational training per facility.

What if my organization cannot afford the annual licensing fee?

Our primary mission is to get as many people as possible riding and benefitting from this program. As such, we invite organizations that cannot afford the licensing fee to submit a subsidy request.

Do classes need to happen 3x/week?

To achieve maximum benefits of the program, riders are encouraged to attend a class 3x per week. However, we recognize that not all facilities have the space or resources to offer the class this frequently.

We recommend offering a schedule that is sustainable for your staff and community. Classes hosted once or twice per week are perfectly acceptable. If your facility offers fewer sessions, point participants to our Pedaling for Parkinson’s Online classes —or to other Parkinson’s programming offered at your site— to add to their weekly routine.

What if there is already another site nearby offering Pedaling for Parkinson’s classes?

Most people with Parkinson’s attend the YMCA or community center they’re already connected to, so the presence of another class nearby typically doesn’t impact their participation. In fact, multiple programs within the same geographic area often enhance access—giving participants more options for class days and times, and helping them stay consistent with their exercise routine.

If your facility is located near an existing PFP site, we encourage collaboration. Coordinating class schedules across sites can help serve the local community even more effectively. We’re happy to support these conversations and help ensure your program is well-integrated into the broader Parkinson’s wellness landscape in your area.

Instructors

Is there a cost for instructor training? How long does it take to complete, and where is it hosted?

The cost for instructor training is included in the facility’s annual licensing fee. The foundational, self-paced training takes approximately 3 hours and is hosted online in our Pedaling for Parkinson’s Training Hub. Once foundational training is completed, instructors gain access to the social network side of the portal and can connect with other experienced instructors and access resources and continuing education opportunities.

I’ve been teaching classes for a long time; do I need to do the training? Are there continuing education opportunities?

We require all Pedaling for Parkinson’s instructors to complete our training as it contains updated information on research, program recommendations, and more.

Our training ensures that:

  • Everyone hosting classes understands the research behind and history of the Pedaling for Parkinson’s program.
  • All instructors, anywhere in the world, have access to the same information about the best ways to host a class and work with people with Parkinson’s.
  • We can provide continuing education knowing that all instructors have the same baseline knowledge.
How often do I need to do the training?

Once you complete our foundational training, there is no requirement to do it again. However, as a member of our instructor community, you will be notified when additional modules or significant changes have been added to the foundational training (and will be encouraged to review those.) You will also be notified of ongoing continuing education opportunities through our Pedaling for Parkinson’s instructor HUB.

Does The Davis Phinney Foundation require instructors to have any other training or certifications?

We (and most YMCAs do) require a current NCCA-accredited group fitness certification for group exercise instructors.

It is also helpful to be experienced/certified in spin, group exercise, etc. All instructors should consult with their facility about certification requirements needed to teach group fitness classes.

Contact Us

Join us in helping to get more people riding and living well!

Contact us at [email protected] or by calling 1-866-358-0285

Thank you to our program sponsor