Any reviews/input on pedalheads?
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Anonymous
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We went to the Petworth location for the final week (8/23-8/27). We signed up for the half-day, afternoon sessions. As a previous poster mentioned, there was very little instructional time and no real discernible structure for the students to follow. They were alarmingly understaffed, especially on the 2nd day. Apparently, 2 instructors had an emergency and called out, leaving only 3 instructors onsite - one of whom left halfway through the afternoon. There were moments where the 30ish students were pretty much unsupervised (by Pedalheads - there were a couple other concerned adults keeping an eye on things) - one poor Pedalheads instructor was trying to manage all of the kids, bike repairs, bathroom breaks, etc. He eventually gave up and sent all the kids inside. I have no idea where the 2nd instructor disappeared to during that time - he eventually returned. Note - this location is in an open parking lot without a substantial barrier between the lot and the street on one side. We had also received information on their COVID protocols in advance of the session. They stated students would be in small cohorts that wouldn't commingle. That never happened - there were multiple moments when the kids were all together in a single group.
I spoke to the manager about what I had observed. He was apologetic and admitted they were understaffed. I know a number of programs have unexpectedly lost staff this week with student employees returning to school, but there are clearly some major infrastructure/safety issues here. I messaged customer care to request a refund. We'll see what happens... |
Anonymous
| Bumping this up as we're considering sending our kids. Anyone else use Pedalheads? |
Anonymous
| Bumping again to see if any one did pedalheads last year in 2022? I'm thinking of one week in the morning to jumpstart my 4 year old's confidence. He doesn't ride with us, but I think he'd try if there were others his age around. |
Anonymous
| We did it for a week last August. I was not impressed - my kiddo seemed to get more apprehensive of riding his bike over the course of the week and it seemed to me that the counselors gave up on him when he was struggling and focused on the other kids. They also did not do much in the afternoon; it was very hot so they were mostly in the shade after lunch. Made me cautious of any outdoor camp once July/August hits! |
Anonymous
Did this for a week last summer, child was 5. Most kids seemed to be 4-5. It was held in a section of RFK Fields park. My kid did not learn to ride bike that week, but we had issues because of wrong-size bike and could not get a new one in time. Camp counselors did what they could. He had fun, got comfortable trying, and said he liked it and he wanted to go even when I gave option of staying home (he's a kid who likes everything and always wants to go) and even though it was hot! hot! hot! on pavement all day. He was in camp with a couple kids he knew already and made a new friend too. I might sign up again for a week this summer, because we haven't been working on bike riding, so no progress since summer. REI class is another option, don't know the locations though. |
Anonymous
| Bumping again. Any feedback on the Hardy location? I have a tall six year old who can’t bike |
Anonymous
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This review reflects my experience as an employee through pedalheads. After 10 plus years in the electrical field I was tired of being taken advantage of and not being paid for the work I did. So I made a huge change and took the gamble that working with kids and sharing my magic with others might be more fulfilling.
BOY WAS I WRONG! After two weeks of running camp, making schedules, managing both instructors and camper age 3-12 both my team and myself where NOT paid!! After addressing the issue with management, when I showed up the following Monday for my scheduled shift I was told to go home! Needless to say my interactions with this company leads me to believe that they are more interested in taking your money then paying those who keep their camp running. Ive filled a complaint with Colorado Divison of Labor standards to hopefully get the money that is owed to me and my coworkers. Is this the type of fun place you want to send your kids? |
Anonymous
| Unsafe. Unstaffed. Very expensive. Kids did not learn to ride bike. |
Anonymous
| Agree with above. Understaffed. Expensive. Unorganized. No results. |
Anonymous
| Very unsafe, unprofessional, unconcerned, very young staff at Pedalheads. I only let my child attend one hour. It was apparent I couldn’t trust leaving her with the staff (the oldest staff member was 18 years old and was blasting music). |
Anonymous
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Sent my child to the Bethesda one this year after a recommendation from another parent who sent their kid the previous year.
Learned to ride a bike that week, had a great time. No complaints from me. |
Anonymous
| Sent kids to Hardy and Bethesda a couple of years ago. Learned to ride, had a great time, and liked the staff and other kids. No complaints! |
Anonymous
| My kids hated it. Was in a parking lot in petworth and the staff was visibly frustrated even as we arrived. |
Anonymous
| I took my kids here and they loved the instructor they were given but they changed it mid week and my kids never learned how to bike and were so unexcited to ride with the individuals I were told would be the regional managers, you would think they are interested in the children but they don’t remember my child’s name or even give them the right support. I would use a different bike came before coming to pedalheads |
Anonymous
| I would never return to pedalheads!! They insulted my child and do not have the capability of running a business. The individual Jacob does not care for my children and I cannot leave my kids in his care. I am sorry that I had high expectations but meeting Jacob is someone I do not want to trust my kids with. |