This past spring, our Safe Routes to School program led Bike Rodeos at 24 schools across Sonoma County, reaching more than 1,600 students. This popular program teaches 4th graders bike-handling and safety skills by taking them through a range of fun drills on the blacktop outside their classrooms.
Our staff arrives at the school first thing in the morning to set up four stations — Safetyville, Turtle Race, Rock Dodge and Super Slalom. Each course is designed to teach young bike riders a variety of new skills that help build their biking confidence.
This year, we added new elements to our courses including roundabouts with a tree in the center, and obstacles blocking the way such as a giant hamburger or a hungry shark (drawn with chalk!).
We also spend extra time with students learning to ride. These students come out to the courses before the rest of the class to get some specialized instruction from staff.
Every season we teach several kids to ride, and for many of the instructors, this is our favorite thing. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the smile on a student’s face when it finally clicks, and they are riding a two-wheeler for the first time. We were thrilled to receive this letter from a parent at Brooks Elementary School:
“I wanted to reach out to personally thank you for your Bike Rodeo event. My daughter turns 10 next week and had an aversion to learning how to ride a bike. I tried and tried over the years but she wouldn’t commit to letting go and trusting herself. It’s something that she was self-conscious about and even “lost” two of the permission slips; I acquired one from the school office so that she could participate in some capacity. Not only did she participate in the event last week, she learned to ride a bike! This past weekend, we rode Saturday and Sunday and even rode to the Windsor Town Green and back (over 3 miles). Every evening this week, she has asked to go out to ride. She’s hooked! I am ecstatic and grateful that you and the school put on such a wonderful event. Thank you so much!!!”
Our fall rodeo season begins in October, and we always welcome volunteers. If you are interested in learning more, please contact SRTS Director Christina Panza.
–Alison Zander, Safe Routes to School Educator