==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
2008 NH BikeSmart program
The Bike
Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, in partnership with NH BikeSmart with contributions
by Safety & Health Council of Northern New England, New Hampshire SAFE KIDS,
and NH Department of Health & Human Services works to educate New Hampshire
children and their parents about bicycle safety.
BikeSmart in New Hampshire Schools
With grant
funding provided by the Byrne Foundation, the NH Charitable Foundation and Mascoma
Savings Bank Foundation, the NH BikeSmart program was patterned after successfully
implemented school bike safety programs in Maine and Vermont. It is applies
to grades K-8 but is aimed at students in 3rd-5th grade. Bicycle safety instructors
have been trained in the BikeSmart safety curriculum. Instructors are available
to go into local elementary schools, to present a 30-minute to 45-minute presentation
to school classes and small assemblies. This is a free program for schools!
..
..
In January of 2006 the NH legislature passed a law requiring children less than
age 16 to wear bicycle helmets (NH RSA 265:144X) and what better way to communicate
info about helmets than welcoming a bicyclist into the school to speak with
the kids about bicycle safety.
BikeSmart emphasizes safe "bicycle driving,"
with four core skills:
1. Wearing a helmet, correctly.
2. Dressed to ride - bright & tight clothing.
3. ABC Bicycle Safety Check
4. Basic Rules of the Road (and how to avoid mistakes kids commonly make)
Want
to get BikeSmart in your school?
Here's some basic information about NH BikeSmart, which is a free presentation
for school children. We're still accepting applications for 2007 and will be
looking for applications for next year 2008 in summer/fall of 2007. Contact
program coordinator, Roger Lohr at 603.643.0920 or via email at Lohr21@verizon.net
if you want to get on the list to be notified when applications come out. Also,
a downloadable Word
document is available as a summary of this program.
The NH BikeSmart
program will also distribute colorful 8.5"
x 11" flyers to reinforce the bike safety message with parents. It
is hoped that the natural connection to the Federal Safe Routes to School program
will support NH BikeSmart. According to the NH Highway Safety Agency, more than
600 children in the nation die from bicycle crashes each year, most only a few
blocks from home, and three of four cyclists that are killed in crashes die
of head injuries. NH BikeSmart will reach kids in the schools to help spread
the safety message and encourage bicyclists and motorists to safely share the
roads.
Interested in teaching?
We do still need instructors in key areas of the state. Our instructor corps
consists of bicycle enthusiasts from around the state. You should be somewhat
comfortable talking to 9-10 year olds, but we will provide a complete curriculum
and "spiel" for you to use -- including recommended skits and props.
If you are interested in teaching in New Hampshire schools, please apply below!
A half-day training is required, and we expect that you will likely teach in
2-3 schools in your area each school year. A small stipend is available to defray
expenses for each school at which you teach.
Roger Lohr at 603.643.0920 or via email at Lohr21@verizon.net
