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Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
Summary:
LAB "Kids-II" Program for Strafford, NH
Dates: Postponed -- new offering to be in August and/or September.
With thanks to Regina Flynn of the NH DHHS, a four-session ten-hour bicycling education program is to be offered in Strafford, NH for middle-school age children. The cirriculum is based on the League of American Bicyclists "Kids-II" program which includes on-bike training, not just classroom lectures which commonly put the students to sleep. Here are the details:
In keeping with May being National Bike Month and the on-going desire to promote bicycling education, the League of American Bicyclists "Kids-II" program is being offered in Strafford, N.H. This four-session ten-hour program is intended for middle-school age children and will encompass both classroom and on-bike training. All students must already be comfortable riding a bike, wear a helmet, and have written parental consent to participate. It has been proven that children who learn how to handle a bicycle properly on our public roadways become better motorists. The cost of $40.00 per student includes various handouts and course material. Minimum class size is eight; maximum size is 20.
For additional details or to register for the "Kids-II" bike-ed program, please email or call the Strafford coordinator Regina Flynn at 603-664-5666 or the certified instructor Dave Topham at 603-898-9926.
Children of middle-school age have the need to travel by bicycle and should do so as safely and enjoyably as possible. The proper rules of the road and bicycle handling technique learned now will not only help them for the next few years until they apply for a motorist's drivers license but they will know how bicycles should be operated when they start driving a car. All road users from kids on bikes, pedestrians of any age, adult bicyclists, motorists, motorcyclists, and truckers must know and follow the rules of the road. On the surface it sounds very easy -- "everyone knows how to ride a bike." Most kids and many adults know how to make the pedals go around but they really don't know how to ride a bike properly. Speed, distance, and endurance are the key factors many bicyclists think is most important. Coping with traffic situations, emergency turns, panic braking, lane use, signaling, line-of-sight issues, and sometimes just courtesy and common sense are often ignored with disasterous results at times. Having children learn to drive a bicycle properly will be a skill set for them to use for the rest of their lives.
