By: Pamela Thompson, The Bike Campaign
August means it’s time to head back to school, and for The Bike Campaign that means it’s time to start scheduling sessions for the Bike Skills Training Program (BSTP) with local elementary schools in Davis, Woodland, and Knights Landing for the 2024-25 school year.
Schools arrange for BSTP sessions, and The Bike Campaign brings a fleet of bikes, helmets, and safety vests for the sessions. Tailored to elementary students, the BSTP instructors teach cycling skills, rules of the road, the ABCs (air, brake, chain), and proper helmet fitting.
Instructors for the BSTP are experienced cyclists and are trained by Maria Contreras Tebbutt, founder of The Bike Campaign and a nationally Certified Cycling Instructor. The instructors are volunteers who enjoy donating their time to help teach the next generation of cyclists, as well as making the sessions interesting and relevant for students.
Students with cycling experience work on bicycle control, hand signals, shoulder checking, and keeping the proper distance between bicycles. Students with no cycling experience get instruction in balance, power pedal position, and how to safely start and stop.
Part of the BSTP covers the benefits of cycling, and that exercise can be fun.
“Studies prove that when kids are physically active, their attention and focus is improved in the classroom,” Karissa Sais, physical education teacher from Whitehead Elementary School, said. “For these reasons, I recommend the Bike Skills program to be a part of any school enrichment activities.”
The BSTP also helps students learn the rules of the road and how to be safe and responsible cyclists.
The partnership between The Bike Campaign and the schools is productive, and helps students get comfortable and confident on bikes.
“We have seen numerous students learn to ride a bike for the first time through this program,” Principal Ursula Ruffalo from C.E. Dingle Elementary said. “It is through this partnership that students have an opportunity through ‘hands-on learning’ to strengthen skills in self-efficacy and resilience.”
The Bike Campaign also provides presentations for after school programs, including Davis Kids Klub and Catalyst Kids.
Last year The Bike Campaign brought the BSTP to elementary schools in Davis and Woodland, and are expanding to Knights Landing this fall. Students say that it’s “the best school day ever!” when the BSTP trainers come to campus. Bob Creely from Korematsu Elementary has said that when the BSTP has come to his school that “the students were very attentive and enjoyed the program.”
The BSTP is always looking for volunteers to help with training sessions, so if you enjoy teaching, are patient, and like to spend more time around bicycles, consider joining the BSTP team; go to thebikecampaign.org for more information.
The Bike Campaign, along with its counterpart, The Bike Garage, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 to help educate people about bicycling and encourage more people to ride their bikes. We work closely with city governments, county health departments, school districts, and community service groups.
