Student Puts Classroom Learning into Motion with iCan Bike

     Topeka, Kan. — This summer, Washburn University kinesiology student Alex Broxterman, senior from Topeka, Kan., gained hands-on experience while helping individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence through iCan Bike. As a first-year floor supervisor, he applied classroom knowledge, developed leadership skills and supported riders as they learned to ride a two-wheel bicycle independently.

    Broxterman first got involved with iCan Bike in 2025 after one of his professors, Dr. Clayton Whalen, encouraged him to volunteer. Whalen has been involved with the program for more than a decade. “I had a course with Dr. Whalen in the spring, and he was actively recruiting volunteers. Knowing I was from Topeka, he basically told me I was going to do it, even though I was unsure and hadn’t done anything like it before. Looking back, I can’t remember anything else I did that summer except the camp. I kind of fell in love with it — teaching and building friendships with participants. It was amazing,” Broxterman said.

     “In 2025, I worked hard to recruit as many kinesiology students as I could to volunteer for that year’s iCan Bike camp. Alex was one of the few who stepped up, and he seemed to really have a knack for it. In 2026, while discussing graduate school with Alex, I told him iCan Bike was hiring and that he’d be foolish not to apply. Luckily, he listened,” said Whalen, assistant professor of kinesiology, Washburn University.

    For four weeks this summer, Broxterman hit the ground running, logging an average of 50 miles, or about 100,000 steps, each week as he co-led camps in Topeka, Kan.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Greenwood Village, Colo.; and Omaha, Neb. As a floor supervisor, Broxterman coordinated with camp directors, communicated with riders and their families, trained and managed volunteer spotters and worked with bike technicians to adapt equipment and instruction to each rider’s needs. He also oversaw safety and ran alongside riders as they progressed toward independent cycling.

     Throughout the experience, Broxterman saw firsthand how concepts he learned in his kinesiology courses at Washburn applied to his work with riders. His coursework helped him understand the motor learning process riders with disabilities experience as they work toward independent cycling. Early in the week, riders work on coordinating their arms and legs to steer and pedal. As they progress, they incorporate balance, core engagement and more complex movements, such as using their arms and legs simultaneously. His coursework in motor learning, muscle function and movement analysis helped him understand that progression and adapt activities and instructions to each rider.

    “Learning how to adjust an activity to make it easier or more challenging and how to build those skills for each rider helped me set them up for success, even if they weren’t riding independently by the end of the five days,” Broxterman said. “I also learned how to use verbal cues and rephrase instructions. Sometimes a rider doesn’t understand what you mean when you tell them to pedal or not to lean, so you have to find another way to explain it that makes sense to them.”

     Whalen said Broxterman’s willingness to learn and passion for kinesiology have stood out as their mentor-student relationship has grown.

     “Alex is both passionate and teachable, which seems to be a rare combination these days. He values his field and his mentors, and he wants to learn everything he can. I think he’s really come to appreciate that these bike camps are kinesiology in action. The alignment between what he learns in the classroom and what he does at bike camp makes the experience so valuable, not only for Alex but for all kinesiology students who get involved.”

     One rider in particular stood out to Broxterman. The rider appeared confident during the first two days of camp but struggled as he progressed toward riding on two wheels. By Friday, his confidence had fallen, and his mother told Broxterman and the bike technician that he felt defeated and needed encouragement.

     “The first thing I wanted to do was get him excited and build his confidence back up,” Broxterman said. “I got him warmed up, slowly let go and he shouted at the top of his lungs, ‘I’m doing it!’ His mom was crying, and when I went to talk to her, she gave me a hug. We finally got him up on two wheels and outside riding with everybody else. It was so rewarding. That’s probably the one that will stick with me forever.”

     Broxterman also saw how learning to ride could create new opportunities for adult participants.

     “Seeing adults gain independence through iCan Bike is also amazing. We had a 36-year-old man learn how to ride a bike. That gives him another way to get to work, visit family and friends or participate in other activities if he chooses. That’s the true definition of independence,” Broxterman said.

     “It was great to see Alex’s transformation from a volunteer spotter at the 2025 iCan Bike camp to a floor supervisor for iCan Shine at our 2026 camp. His excitement and enthusiasm for the program are contagious, and it was fun to see the riders and volunteers get hyped up with him,” said Terri Steinman, volunteer coordinator, Capper Foundation. “He had an amazing start at the Topeka camp, and I have no doubt he will continue to grow into one of iCan Shine’s best iCan Bike floor supervisors.”

     Broxterman will graduate in May 2027 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and rehabilitation science and plans to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science. He also hopes to earn a doctoral degree. While pursuing his master’s degree, he plans to continue working at iCan Bike camps during the summers.

     Broxterman has long envisioned becoming a sports scientist and working for a professional sports team. His experience with iCan Bike, however, has broadened his perspective on what his career could look like — including opportunities to combine his passion for kinesiology with making an impact in the community.

     “It’s been a blessing to have this opportunity and represent Washburn while doing it,” Broxterman said. “I know it sounds cliché, but being able to wear my Washburn cap and promote the university means a lot to me because Washburn has given me so much. I’ve had opportunities here that I never thought I would have, and I’ve received so much support. This is my way of giving back and showing others what we have at Washburn and what our faculty and education can do.”

-30-

     iCan Bike, a program of the nationally recognized nonprofit organization iCan Shine, uses specialized equipment, coaching and encouragement to help participants gain the confidence to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle in just five days. Nearly 70 iCan Bike camps were held across the United States and Canada in summer 2026. To learn more about iCan Shine and its recreational programs for people with disabilities, visit icanshine.org.

     Capper Foundation, a Topeka, Kan., nonprofit serving people of all ages living with disabilities, has hosted iCan Bike camps since 2010 and iCan Swim camps since 2019. To learn more about Capper Foundation, visit capper.org.

For further information, contact:
Lacey Kinder
Content Specialist
Telephone: 785-670-2154
Cell: 785-845-1909
Email: lacey.kinder@washburn.edu