Teaching bicycle safety in after school programs
Students ride down 7th Ave practicing street safety
The SFBC has teamed up with the Presidio Community YMCA and Community Bridges Beacon Center to offer after school programs at several schools in San Francisco. The classes focus primarily on traffic safety and riding skills, teaching the students to ride safely and confidently on city streets. Themes of nutrition, environmental awareness, advocacy and the benefits of exercise are also emphasized. Students can work to earn their bikes, donated by the S.F. Police Department and repaired by volunteer mechanics, after the program if they complete a list of strict criteria, such as buying a helmet and earning an adequate grade point average. The programs also offer monthly weekend rides to a variety of destinations.
Students learn to fix a flat mid-ride
Presidio YMCA
www.ybike.org
Originally started by SFBC volunteer Susan Silber in 2004, the program was expanded in 2007-2009 by Program Coodinator Ben Caldwell with technical support from the SFBC. The Presidio Community YMCA Bike Program, now known as the YBike Program delivers exemplary youth and family bicycle programs consistent with the larger YMCA mission to build "strong kids, strong families, and strong communities", promoting the bicycle as a safe, healthy, fun, and green recreation and transportation alternative. They provide bicycle safety education to youth, schools, and the community-at-large through in school Physical Education and after-school programs, bicycle safety roadeos, and evening and weekend classes at the Presidio Community YMCA. Many classes are held in part on the new "Pop Hicks" Bicycle Practice Area in the Presidio.
Beacon Center volunteer "Johan" showcases talents while teaching kids useful urban riding tricks
Community Bridges Beacon
www.cbbeacon.org
Everett Middle School is the site of the Community Bridges Beacon after school bike program. Friday classes send students riding around the Mission and nearby neighborhoods. "This is the best after school program I've ever participated in!" says Everett Middle School student Danielle.
We Need Your Help!
Volunteers are needed to keep these successful programs going in the following areas:
- BIKE MECHANICS: The donated Police Department bikes are repaired three times per year by volunteers, in January, June and September. They are also in need of occasional repairs weekly.
- WEEKLY VOLUNTEER HELP: If you are available during the afternoons and enjoy working with youth, please help out! We are especially looking for volunteers who can commit to working on a weekly basis. Additional help is needed teaching youth to ride and during bike rodeo days.
- RIDE LEADERS: If you are only available during the weekends, you can volunteer during our monthly Saturday rides. The rides go to a variety of destinations; students from all the programs as well as family members are invited to participate.
Future Efforts
The SFBC will be partnering with Dept of Public Health, SF Police, & MTA to implement a "Safe Routes to School Program" in San Francisco. These program will focus on improving infrastructure such as bike lanes and bike racks around schools to encourage more youth to bike and walk to school. If you are interested in this effort, please contact Safe Routes to Schools Program Coordinator, Jason Serafino-Agar at jason (at) sfbike.org or 415-431-BIKE x312.
