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Should Schools Teach Kids to Ride Bikes?
Hey there, friend! I have some nostalgic memories about learning to ride a bike. Back in my small West Virginia town, I’d zoom around a bank parking lot while my grandpa jogged behind me, holding on to the seat. Those carefree rides along the Potomac are some of my favorite childhood moments. Fast forward to today, and I find myself in New York City, where I live in a tiny apartment with no room for a bike and nowhere nearby to ride safely. My 5-year-old son still hasn’t learned to cycle, and it’s been on my mind.
Then, I stumbled upon this enlightening article about a program in Washington, D.C., where public schools are teaching second-graders how to ride bikes as part of their PE classes. I thought, what a fantastic idea! According to Jane Hart, the health education director in D.C., they’ve rolled out a program featuring 475 BMX bikes that are sent to different schools in batches of 25 for a few weeks. This initiative is part of the “Cornerstones” project, which aims to provide specialized curricula to help bridge the achievement gap between kids from wealthier and less affluent backgrounds. The bike program is a great way to ensure that all kids, regardless of their access to bikes or safe streets, can learn this essential skill.
As noted in the article, urban biking faces a significant equity challenge. With bike-share programs expanding, there’s a real risk that low-income families might miss out on this two-wheeled renaissance. Offering universal bike education could help mitigate that. We all know that part of the childhood obesity crisis stems from a lack of exercise. In my youth, most kids walked or rode their bikes to school. But today, parents often cite distance and safety concerns as reasons for not allowing their kids to bike or walk to school.
It’s also true that the more kids and adults who bike, the safer everyone becomes on the roads. However, elected officials are hesitant to create more bike lanes without a perceived demand. By teaching a new generation of kids to ride, we could gradually shift the balance in favor of more bike lanes over car lanes. D.C.’s bike-share program has already shown promise in reducing traffic congestion.
I dream of my kids learning to ride as I did, but the circumstances just aren’t there for us right now. If they had cycling lessons as part of their school curriculum, I’d be over the moon! It would equip them with a lifelong skill for affordable, healthy, and eco-friendly transportation. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind getting back on a bike myself—we could enjoy some family rides along the river!
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In summary, teaching kids to ride bikes in schools could foster healthier habits and promote equity in urban biking. It’s a skill that can last a lifetime and open up new avenues for exercise and fun, especially in cities where safe biking options are limited.