Peppa Pig Joins Viral “Bike Bus” Coach Sam Balto to Close Out Bentonville Bike Fest 2026
Beloved children’s character becomes the latest star to back Coach Balto’s movement as families roll into the festival’s final day together Peppa Pig is trading muddy puddles for bike trails, appearing alongside viral cycling advocate Coach Sam Balto to lead the Bentonville Bike Train, Presented by Peppa Pig — a free, family-friendly community ride that caps off the final day of Bentonville Bike Fest on Sunday, June 14.
Peppa Pig joins a growing roster of high-profile names who have backed Coach Balto’s “bike bus” rides, following pop stars Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone and Zara Larsson. Now the movement gets its first cartoon icon — and its youngest audience yet will be thrilled. The movement also has deep local roots: the ride builds on Bentonville's own Bike Train initiative, supported by Arkansas Moves and Bentonville Town Tour.
The morning kicks off at 9:00 a.m. at Lawrence Plaza in downtown Bentonville (214 NE A St) with a pre-ride safety talk by Bret McCormick and a Peppa Pig meet-up, before riders roll out at 9:15 a.m. The leisurely, two-mile route runs straight from Lawrence Plaza to the Bentonville Bike Fest venue at a relaxed family pace. Peppa Pig herself will cheer riders on at the start line and welcome everyone with a special treat at the finish.
“Bike buses turn the everyday trip into pure joy, connection and confidence — and that’s exactly what this ride is about. Having Peppa Pig there to cheer the kids on is going to be unforgettable.”— Coach Sam Balto
The ride is free to join, and all bikes and all riders are welcome. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult, and because the route travels residential streets, no training wheels are permitted. Riders must complete registration and sign a waiver in advance. Every rider receives entry to the Bentonville Bike Fest grounds, with bikes parked at the Pedal It Forward Bike Corral.
Follow Peppa Pig on social at @officialpeppa on Instagram and @peppapig on TikTok for more bike riding fun.
About Coach Sam Balto
Sam Balto — known to millions online as @CoachBalto — is a former physical education teacher and the co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit Bike Bus World. He launched his first “bike bus” at Portland’s Alameda Elementary School on Earth Day 2022, and the joyful, music-filled group rides quickly went viral, sparking a global movement now spanning more than 500 routes worldwide.
A TEDxPortland speaker, his work has been featured by NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, WIRED and The Guardian. Balto has been invited to the White House by then-President Joe Biden and has worked with U.S. Department of Transportation leadership to champion safe routes to school. Along the way, he has drawn celebrity riders including Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone and Zara Larsson — and now, Peppa Pig.
