Salvation Army Earn-a-Bike Class

Last Thursday evening, seven graduates of Trailnet’s Earn-a-Bike class hopped on their brand new bikes and took to the streets around Benton Park. For several of the novice cyclists, this was their first opportunity to utilize their signaling, scanning, and lane positioning skills. All completed the ride with flying colors.

The Earn-a-Bike class met for four sessions at the Salvation Army on Arsenal and was taught by Trailnet’s Rachel Sleeman, assisted by Ginny McDonald. Participants in the class learned about bike parts and tools, how to remove wheels and fix a flat, and how to load a bicycle onto a Metro St. Louis bus rack. The course also covered Missouri traffic law that pertains to cyclists, clothing and accessories that make biking more comfortable, and techniques for carrying groceries and gear for commuting by bike. Students were individually fitted for their bicycles and helmets, and each received a lock to secure their new bicycle.

The participants, who ranged in age from sixteen to sixty, came to the class with varying levels of experience and with different expectations for how they would use their bicycle. Kieth Miles was a big help to the instructors, having used a bike for many years for transportation, and already handy with tools and techniques of basic maintenance. GiGi, who is also a veteran cyclist, plans on using her bicycle for grocery shopping and errands. Both commented that they could get to most of their normal destinations more quickly on a bicycle than by car and that it was also a healthier way to travel.

Trailnet thanks The Trio Foundation of St. Louis and Cardinal Cares for funding this class, the Salvation Army for hosting, and  Urban Shark for building the bikes.