THE PROGRAM
What is Bike Smart?
By teaching bike safety at a young age, Ecology Action imbues children with a lifelong healthy habit and a passion for pedaling. Our Bike Smart program is modeled on the best national practices in terms of age of delivery, diversity of teaching methods, student interaction, and course content.
Our goal is to increase the ridership of elementary-aged students, while simultaneously reducing the crash rates of young bicyclists.
We teach kids bike skills for life.
Our nationally certified and bi-lingual instructors teach elementary school students the basics, in the classroom and out on the streets. The two-part program includes a 1-hour presentation, followed by an approximately 2-hour rodeo that covers the following bike safety practices.
Safety around cars
Choosing safe routes
Hand signaling and communicating
Safely navigating intersection crossings
Benefits of bicycling
The importance and correct use of a bicycle helmet
Equipment safety (ABC quick check)
Being visible
Rules of the road
…and more!
IN THE CLASSROOM
Rules of the road.
The Bike Smart presentation is delivered indoors in an assembly format or in each classroom. The presentation lasts approximately 1-hour, although we can modify it to align with school preferences. We’ll bring all equipment, including a computer, PowerPoint, speakers, props, etc.
THE RODEO
Where the rubber meets the road.
On a separate day, Bike Smart staff will return to the school for the bicycle rodeo. The rodeo allows students to practice using the safety skills learned in the classroom through a fun, interactive bicycle safety obstacle course.
The rodeo is ideally 2-hours long for each class, but we can modify the timing to best align with the school schedule.
Bike Smart staff will arrive to the school 1-hour before the first rodeo to set up the course. We use a variety of cones, props, and chalk to create a mock intersection on the school blacktop. (We generally use about two basketball courts worth of space, although we always modify to fit the school blacktop.) We bring an entire fleet of bicycles and helmets so that all students can participate even if they don’t have a bike to bring.
The rodeos begin in the classroom, where staff members review skills taught in the presentation and introduce the bicycle safety course. The class is then divided by the classroom teacher: half stay in the classroom, while the other half accompany the Bike Smart instructors to the course. We provide the teacher with additional bicycle safety games and lessons that they can administer to the remaining students if they choose. After both groups have ridden, the Bike Smart staff regroups with all students in the classroom to reflect on what was learned, as well as conduct a brief rodeo survey and bicycle safety raffle.
SCHEDULING
Bring Bike Smart to your school!
Our team will work closely with you or your staff to determine the best schedule for your classes.
Jennifer Rivas
Youth Program Coordinator
VOLUNTEER
Do good, feel good.
Make your free time be more than me-time. Nothing is more selfless than donating your time and energy to projects that make your community – and the planet – a better place. But it’s not all sacrifice; it’s also a lot of fun!
Bike Smart volunteers and interns assist lead staff in the implementation of youth bicycle and walk safety training.
© 2019 Ecology Action. All Rights Reserved
LEARN ABOUT US
CONTACT US
877 Cedar Street, Suite 240
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tel: 831.426.5925
CONNECT WITH US
Can't volunteer? Consider donating.
This program is 100% funded by private and public donors. Please consider making a donation for us to continue teaching our local kids bike skills for life.
Sal Murillo
Youth Program Coordinator
Meghana Kikkeri
Youth Program Coordinator