If the sound of stampeding feet on the ramp outside the classroom is any indication of how popular the Read and Ride Program is, then Marvin Ward Elementary School administrators have many reasons to be proud.

Once the door opens, 19 fourth-graders spill into the room, race to their favorite exercise bike (some playing rock-paper-scissors to break a tie), and begin pedaling as they pore over the pages of their favorite book or magazine.

Begun last September as a twofold mission to encourage reading and fight childhood obesity, Read and Ride has since collected more than 40 exercise bikes. Classes of third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders sign up for 15-minute sessions, which serve as a beneficial recess period, especially on days when the inclement weather prevents kids from going outside.

Bikes were donated by teachers, parents, and generous community members. Scott Ertl, school counselor and Read and Ride coordinator, says this is the first program of its kind in the nation. In October, students and teachers sent 151 letters inviting First Lady Michelle Obama to the school to see the program firsthand. In November, Ertl received two calls from the White House expressing interest.

And for good reason: Teacher Trish Hall says the benefits are significant. “Many of these kids don’t get the chance to run and play outside, and for them, these 15 minutes are some of the most valuable outlets for their energy.”

One 9-year-old breaks a sweat pedaling as he flips through the pages of Boys’ Life magazine. “We always have a lot of fun and get to read cool things when we do Read and Ride,” Kain Urgitus says.

A few bikes down, Nykiyah Anthony is halfway through a chapter book she checked out from the school’s library. The fourth-grader says the program is a fun break from the routine of class. “And when I get back to my desk, I pay better attention,” she adds.

Although Ertl says he’d eventually like to purchase generators so students can see how their efforts create electricity that can be used to power the lights in the room, in the meantime, his focus is on spreading the word.

“In this economy, schools are especially grateful for new programs that don’t cost anything,” he says. “We are hoping to inspire more schools to begin similar programs.”

For more information, go to KidsReadAndRide.com