[From a BTA press release]
Sam has been known to ride in Portland’s controversial Critical Mass ride, but this Friday, he will be taking part in a different sort of group bike ride. 5th graders at Sunnyside Environmental School and community volunteers will ‘helmet’ up to take a 2-hour ride through SE Portland. All week, the students have been learning and practicing bike safety skills as part of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) Bicycle Safety Education program. The program started in 1998 and has taught traffic savvy to over 25,000 Oregon kids. The 10-hour program emphasizes on-bike practice to teach kids how to safely ride on-street.
Sunnyside Environmental School has been enthusiastic about the program for 2 years and starting this fall, will receive extra support from the City of Portland. Sunnyside has been identified as one of 12 new pilot schools for Portland’s Safe Routes to School Program and will receive a number of services including walking and biking education. The Safe Routes program encourages kids to walk or bike to school for the benefit of the kids’ health, the environment, and a stronger sense of community.
LOCATION:
Sunnyside Environmental School, 3421 SE Salmon St. The kids will get ready outside in the paved area near the playground.
TIME:
9:15 (Sam is expected to arrive at 9:15. Kids will get ready for @ 15 minutes and the ride will leave about 9:30)
CONTACTS:
Sara Stout, BTA Bicycle Safety Education instructor, 718.344.8154
Anna Scalera, BTA Youth Programs Coordinator, 503.226.0676 x19