==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
Summer bike-ed course in Londonderry
by
Suzanne Laurent, Derry News/Eagle Tribune, July 19, 2007, edits by Dave Topham
When Donna Andronico wanted to purchase a new bike for her 10-year-old daughter,
Gina, she went online to look for advice on the appropriate size for her height.
"I found the Bike-Walk Alliance and e-mailed them with questions," Andronico said. "I also asked if there was a bike course being given locally. They are usually given at school or in a Scout troop, but Gina wasn't in Scouts this year."
Andronico asked the organization if it had someone who would come to her Colonial Drive neighborhood to teach her daughter and a group of girls, ages 10 and 11, how to safely ride their bikes.
"It's the first time in my experience with the Alliance that someone has ever asked us to come to a neighborhood," said Dave Topham, the group's co-founder.
Topham, a Certified LAB Cycling Instructor who is also membership chairman for the Granite State Wheelmen, offered to give a six- to seven-hour course over three mornings based on the League of American Bicyclists "Kids II" bike-ed program.
"It's an innovative idea," Topham said. "The kids learn how to ride in real-time with their own bikes. At schools and indoor programs, they learn concepts but don't get to go out on the street to practice them." Eight girls, four from the Colonial Drive neighborhood and four of Gina's acquaintances from school, St. Benedict Academy in Manchester, signed on.
During
the first lesson, Topham taught the young cyclists how to properly fit their
helmets.
"We learned the 'ABC quick check,' too," Gina said. "That means
to check the air in the tires, brakes and chain." They also learned about
checking quick-release levers and bolts to make sure they are tight before taking
to the road.
"Gina's new bike has 21 gears," Andronico said. "I wouldn't know where to begin to teach her how to ride it." The second day, the girls learned how to shift and give hand signals for turns and stopping. Each day, Topham planned a four-mile ride so they could practice the skills they learned. On the third day they learned how to change a flat tire, a very useful lesson, the moms agreed. The kids worked in teams and enjoyed the flat repair procedure so much they asked to do it a second time - and they did it right both times.
"It's
kind of hard going up the hills," said Julia Sorrell, 10. Her mom, Ann
Sorrell of Londonderry, said the bike course was a "great idea." "None
of us really know how to use our gears." Several mothers took turns going
along on the bike rides to follow the young bicyclists.
Who knows, maybe the idea of taking bicycling education to children and adults
in their own residential area and on their schedule will happen again!
.
LAB
Kids-II bike course underway in Londonderry, NH, July 2007
