Cycling Proven to Dramatically Improve ADHD

Kids can be lively and a handful at the best of times, so parents of children affected by Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may despair about how to diffuse some of their boundless energy.

A new campaign from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, called Outride ADHD, suggests that riding a bike is a simple and effective way to help manage the energy levels of kids diagnosed with ADHD.

The initiative was launched together with The Specialized Foundation, an organisation that promotes the benefits of cycling, and Stanford University, following new research out later this year which reveals that biking can improve concentration.

“A bike ride a day can have an incredibly positive impact on kids’ lives,” says Mike Sinyard, founder and CEO of Specialized Bicycle Components.

The accompanying campaign (above) is helmed by Johnny Green, who suffers from ADHD himself. In the spot, a group of teenage cyclists – all of whom also have ADHD – can be seen tearing through the streets by night. They're accompanied by animated wild animals which speed up as the kids get faster – to reflect the sense of freedom they feel while riding.

“I learned so much about my own ADHD through the process of crafting this film. During development and shooting, I felt the same freedom as the kids on bikes did,” admits Green. 

Rolled out to coincide with stage 18 of the Tour de France, the campaign will also run throughout the summer to support the Specialized Foundation’s program, Ride For Focus, which aims to introduce the benefits of cycling to schools across the US.