Trailnet teaches youth about active living during bike weeks

For students at several schools in Webster Groves and Kirkwood, PE class now includes bicycling! In September, Trailnet worked with the Webster Groves Computer School and Keysor Elementary in Kirkwood to teach kids bike handling skills, rules of riding safely, and some basic bike mechanics.

Trailnet staff presented the “ABC Quick Check,” an easy way for kids and parents to make sure that a bike is safe to ride before taking a spin. Students learned how to measure tire pressures, how to change a flat, and how to check their brakes and chain.

Keysor students were also introduced to Trailnet’s advocacy efforts aimed at making the St. Louis region a better place to ride a bicycle. Asked whether they thought a kid could be an advocate to improve bike safety, students were eager to give examples of how they might make a difference in their community. Their ideas included: “if I saw a pothole in the street I would call city hall and tell them to fix it”…“we need a crosswalk on my street – I am going to write to the president”…”when I see trash on the sidewalk I stop and pick it up.”

Robinson Elementary, another Kirkwood school, is holding its first Bike Week this week. Trailnet looks forward to helping make the week a big success and to sharing the thrill of bicycling with a new group of kids.

Thanks to Great Rivers Greenway for providing funding for these bike education programs.