BASICS OF BICYCLING:
TEACHING JUANITA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TO
BIKE SAFE ! BIKE SMART!
I NEED VOLUNTEERS!
From September 13-23rd, 2011 something fun and exciting is happening for the 4th -6th grade students of Juanita Elementary; They are participating in the Lake Washington School District to ride bikes for Group Health’s Basics of Bicycling Program provided by the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, free of charge. A special thanks to Julie Salathe and Kat Sweet from Cascade Bicycle Club for working so hard to make this program a success, and thanks to the many parent and grandparent volunteers who in the past four years have helped me, help the students have fun riding a bike while at the same time, teach students how to, "Bike Safe! and Bike Smart!"
Because this is a hands-on unit, bicycling skills and safety courses are designed to give young students skills and knowledge in traffic-wise bicycling. I of course, design these courses on the blacktop playground and upper field, and NOT in the school parking lot or on the street.
According to statistics, kids age 10 to 14 years old suffer from the highest number of bicycle collisions - nearly twice that of any other age group. The Basics of Bicycling enables me, Mrs. Kohlwes, to teach my students to negotiate or avoid those high hazard situations when riding their bikes with simulated streets, intersections, stop signs and stop lights on the playground.
The Basics of Bicycling Unit also empowers parents and grandparents to volunteer and get involved with their child/grandchild’s physical education program. Here is what some of my current and past volunteers have to say.
Sharon Langlois: Grandparent Volunteer
“This safety program from the starting lesson was exceptional. The curriculum was well planned and thought out. The safety video shown the first day should be shown to students of all grades both in the spring and fall. Now that my granddaughter is in Junior High School, I still come back to Juanita Elementary to volunteer every year because I feel strongly about how important it is to teach bicycle safety to our children at a young age."
Suzy Waltar: Parent Volunteer
“This is a wonderful program! It was amazing to see kids who have never ridden a bike, learn as quickly as 20 minutes. Also being a bike enthusiast myself, I understand the importance of learning the safety skills. This program should be standard in all the elementary schools in our area. What a fun way for the kids to learn bicycle safety.”
The first lesson shows students how to adjust their helmets so that the helmet fit appropriately. Additional lessons include something for all levels of ability: Some students learn to ride bikes for the first time while other students who have bike riding experience are challenged with riding stations that required them to use more advanced skills such using appropriate hand signals when turning or stopping, and negotiating obstacle courses to improve handling, cornering and control. A big hit in past has been the figure eight course which includes understanding traffic signs and how to cross an intersection safely. All of this takes place in a safe environment on Juanita Elementary’s blacktop playground area.
The Basics of Bicycling: Bike Safe! Bike Smart! Program is being provided for all through a grant from Group Health Cooperative and The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation. After taking a half day workshop 3 years ago, all LWSD elementary physical education teachers had the opportunity to sign up for this three-five week bike safety unit. The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation provides education programs and consulting services to the local community, to create a better community through bicycling and by teaching safe cycling to kids.
Are you interested in VOLUNTEERING? I need about 2-3 parents per class in order this unit to be a productive and successful class. A schedule of days, dates, and times the Bike Safe! Bike Smart! classes will be posted shortly.
Please contact Mrs. Lynn Kohlwes; Juanita Elementary PE teacher at 425-936-2570 ext 55715 or email me at lkohlwes@lwsd.org You can also download the schedule and Volunteer form when it's available, Map of Bike Course, and How To Properly Fit A Bike Helmet Guide above this article.
--Mrs. Lynn Kohlwes: Juanita Elementary Physical Education Teacher