Saturday, November 28, 2009
Bicycle programs at Fairfax schools
There are a few schools in Fairfax where students are encouraged to ride bikes. At Herndon Middle School bike racks are provided for kids who ride to school. Under the direction of three teachers, approximately 20 students are members of an after school club where they refurbish old bikes to give away. Articles in the Washington Post (From fixer-upper to someone's dream) and the Herndon Observer (Herndon Middle Gives Back, One Wheel at a Time) describe the program.Each Wednesday, about 20 middle school students meet in the school's Bike Shop to repair, repaint, and spruce up donated bicycles for needy children within the local community.
Hersh said the Bike Shop partners with A-1 Cycling, in Herndon, who help students obtain things like cables and tires in order to replace the bikes. A-1 Cycling also donates bike stands and other tools that are needed throughout the year, he said.
There are at least two other schools with bike programs. At Lanier Middle School in Fairfax, PE teacher Pam Clingenpeel sponsors an after school bicycle club where kids learn about basic bike maintenance, bicycle safety, street/trail bike etiquette, shifting techniques and basic skills of riding. Five after school sessions are being held this Fall.Hersh said the Bike Shop partners with A-1 Cycling, in Herndon, who help students obtain things like cables and tires in order to replace the bikes. A-1 Cycling also donates bike stands and other tools that are needed throughout the year, he said.
Candy Brown, Physical Education teacher at Centreville High School leads a mountain bike PE class. Students learn the ABC Quick Check (video), basic bike maintenance, bicycle safety, street/trail bike etiquette, shifting techniques and basic skills of riding. Ms. Brown is featured in a video about the Centreville program. Both schools received funds form the Virginia Dept. of Education to purchase new bikes.
We've previously mentioned successful Safe Routes to School efforts at four Vienna schools. And finally, Lynbrook Elementary School is one of only two schools in Fairfax to receive Safe Routes to School funds (Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna is the other). If you know of other schools with bike programs, please let us know.
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