Bike Safety Education
Olmsted County Public Health, MN
Kelly Corbin, Community Health Specialist
Charlie Quigg, Community Health Specialist
CPPW Grant Overview
Funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to implement policy,
systems and environmental change strategies to reduce obesity over two years
ending in 2012
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Creating and enhancing Safe Routes to School programs in elementary
schools countywide
Encouraging Olmsted County to adopt a Complete Streets policy
Expanding access and affordability of Farmers’ Markets for low-income
populations
Conducting a healthy vending pilot at Rochester Community Technical College
(RCTC)
Developing a Bicycle Master Plan for incorporation in the county’s long-range
transportation plan
Promoting trail usage through increased way-finding signage, connectivity
projects, and local media
Collaborating to develop a media campaign to support CPPW efforts in
Olmsted County and Minneapolis
Where are we?
County Population
144,248
Bike Education…Our Story
First Steps
Curriculum
Engaging Schools
Equipment
Training
Evaluation
Scalable Ideas
Questions
Why Bike Education?
•Reduce the obesity epidemic through increased
physical activity and better nutrition for children
•Biking is a lifelong physical activity skill for either
transportation or recreational use
•Create a systems change for Physical Education
Curriculum and create a supportive environment for
active transportation in schools growing the Safe
Routes to School movement
Why Bike Education?
“In the past, people thought that handing out
some pamphlets and giving a pep talk were
effective ways to teach bike safety. No one would
think of teaching baseball, football, square
dancing, and car driving or hunter safety by
handing out brochures and talking to an
auditorium full of kids. These days, we see it’s
important to get the kids on their bikes and
teach them real world skills.”
— John Williams & Dan Burden
From Minnesota Safe Routes to School “Elementary Traffic Safety
Education Guide”
First Steps for Bike Education
•Determine realistic goals/outcomes
oComprehensive or one-time education
•Identify partners
oSchools, bike shops, etc
•Scale
oOne school or district wide
•Funding and Sustainability
oAbility to buy equipment
Goals
•Implement Bike Education in one of the four school
districts within the county
•Implement at the Elementary School Level
•Implement change by March of 2012
•Develop and sustain valuable partnerships
Success!
•Three of four school districts implementing change
•Dover-Eyota School District
•Elementary – 4th grade
•Rochester School District
•Middle School – 6th grade
•Stewartville School District
•Middle School – 6th grade
Curriculum
•Long history with success
•Affordable
•Supportive and helpful
organization
•Dan Connaughton
•John Egberts
•Ability to be used:
•In school
•After school
•Bike Rodeos
•Bike Education events
Getting Schools on Board
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Liability concerns
Limited or no budget for new PE equipment
Long term maintenance plan
Trailer transportation and security
Scalable and flexible program for schools to adapt to fit
their site, schedule and administration
• Stress the FUN and LIFE SKILLS!
Bikes!
Collaborate with schools—age
(i.e. size) and number of
students
Solicit quotes from bike shops
• Various sizes
• Durable
• Low maintenance
Bike Specifications
• Multi-speed or
single-speed
• Hand brakes vs
coaster brake
• Quick release seat
adjustment
• Upright riding
position
Spare Parts, Equipment/Tools
• Spare parts
• Seats/extra long seat posts
• Tubes
• Patch kits
• Basic tools
• Floor pump
• Chain lube
• Tire levers
• Allen wrenches, pedal wrench
• Bike stand(?)
Adaptive Bicycles/Trikes
• Range of levels
• Assess special
needs
• Determine how to
accommodate
Trailers
•Size
•Ramp
•Security
•Vehicle to transport
•Modifications: bike hooks,
shelves, tie down, etc
Regional Trainer
Workshop
•Partner with Bike Alliance of MN
•Build Statewide capacity of
trainers
•Ensure sustainability
Bike Ed Workshop
Three goals of the workshop
1. Push the SRTS movement
2. Teach Classroom skills
3. Teach on-bike skills
Workshop attendees included:
• Teachers
• Youth Serving Organizations (ex. Boys
& Girls Club)
• Bike enthusiasts and instructors
• Obesity prevention partners
Free and open to anyone interested
Workshop: Classroom
• SRTS overview
• Difference of kids on
bikes
• Education materials for
before kids get on bikes
• Multiple materials
available for different
school subjects
• Review videos
Workshop: Skills
•Helmet Check
•ABC quick check
Air
Breaks
Chain
•Bike Station set up &
run through
•Neighborhood ride
Evaluation
•Workshop surveys
•Pre and Post Tests
•Teacher Interviews
Earned Media
Other uses for Bikes & Trailers
•Bike Rodeos/Bike Safety Clinics
•Bike Friendly Events/Promotions
•Active Field Trips
•Family Fun Bike Rides
•After school or Summer programs
•Opportunities are Endless!
Back to those ‘First Steps’…
•Determine realistic goals/outcomes
oComprehensive or one-time education
•Identify partners
oSchools, bike shops, etc
•Scale
oOne school or district wide
•Funding and Sustainability
oAbility to buy equipment
Scalable Ideas
• Bikes
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–
Kids bring their own
Buy a few bikes each year
Regional trailers with bikes
Earn-a-Bike programs
Rent
• Trailers
– Garage
– Shed
– Bring from home
Scalable Ideas
• Bike Education
– Integrate into PE Curriculum
– After school
• Child care
• School sponsored programs
• Youth Serving Organizations
– One day events
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Bike Rodeos/Bike Safety Clinics
Bike Safety Assemblies
Walk 2 School Day
Bus Safety Week (Transportation Safety Week)
School Carnival
Scalable Ideas
Questions?
Contact Information:
Kelly Corbin
[email protected]
Charlie Quigg
[email protected]