safety wasn’t fun?!
(Photos © Jonathan Maus)
If you’ve never volunteered to ride with kids as part of the BTA’s Bike Safety Education program, now is the time to step up. Or, if you’ve already done it, why not do it again?
The BTA needs volunteers to ride with students on their graduation bike rides. All you’ve got to do is show up, model proper riding techniques, and be supportive and enthusiastic (an instructor will also be present).
I’ve done this several times and it always reminds me that bikes are fun, kids are silly, and that it’s imperative to teach young folks how to be safe and smart cyclists.
If you can spare a few hours out of your day, I highly recommend helping out. Here are the schools and dates they need volunteers for:
- Lent – Oct. 19 Friday (SE) 8:45-11:00, 12:45- 3:00
- Humboldt – Oct 19 Friday (NE) 8:45-11:15
- Atkinson – Oct. 19 Friday (SE) TBA (am and pm)
- Vestal – Oct. 25 Thursday (NE) 8:45-11:15, 12:00-2:15
- Russell Academy – Nov. 2 Friday (Outer NE) 8:45-12:20, 12:45-3:00
- Clarendon – Nov. 2 Friday (NoPo) TBA (am and pm)
- Atkinson – Nov. 2 Friday (SE) TBA (am and pm)
- Gilbert Park – Nov. 5 Monday (Outer SE) 9:00-11:15, 12:45-3:00
BTA staffer Gregg Lavender says, “There are also some after-school opportunities with a program called Pedal Power. These are groups of 15 kids for two hours, the rides are a bit more ambitious. They are usually from 3-5 in the afternoon (or close to that time) so these may work better for you.”
Pedal Power classes are at Sunnyside School (in Southeast) on October 18, 23, and 25th.
For more information, or to sign up for a slot, contact Gregg at Gregg@bta4bikes.org or (503) 226-0676 x20.
Unfortunately, I believe the Sunnyside Pedal Power class was cancelled due to under enrollment.
My wife rides with our kids to and from our athletic club all the time (when the weather is good enough), and though they are a slow procession, she has reported many, many thumbs up from other bicyclists and some folks in cars. I ride less often with teh kids as they are usually out and about when I am slaving away. She and the kids appreciate these gestures a lot as it can be a little nerve wracking especially on the bridges and in high traffic intersections.