Gear Up for Bike to School Day!
Children who bike to school arrive more alert and energetic, having engaged their minds and bodies before they even reach the classroom.
Biking to school can also give children more experience and confidence on their bicycles while they benefit from this low-impact exercise.Wednesday, May 9, 2018 is National Bike to School Day, a day dedicated to encouraging children to safely ride their bicycles to school throughout the year.
Cycling is an integral part of community transportation. Students at Fienberg Fisher K-8 School in Miami participate in this national day of awareness as part of the University of Miami BikeSafe Program. This event enables students to join their classmates for a fun ride through the city (with a police escort, of course) before their classes begin, which culminates in a celebration at the school. Parents and educators of Fienberg Fisher students are welcome to participate.
Activities will take place at other schools in Miami-Dade County and across the country.
Ride Safe, Ride Smart
BikeSafe’s mission is to reduce biking injuries. That’s why properly fitted helmets are required for all participants, including adults. Before riding a bike, it’s important to ensure your bike is safe to ride.
Complete the ABC Quick Check:
AIR: Locate the recommended pressure (in psi) on the side of your tire. Using a bike pump with a gauge, check to see if your tire pressure is within the psi range.
BRAKES: Check that your brakes are working by squeezing the brake levers on the handlebars and looking to see that the brake pads squeeze the tire. When the brake levers are not squeezed, the wheel should be able to spin freely without the brake pads dragging on the wheel.
CHAIN: Check your chain for rust. A rusty chain will make it hard to pedal and can even break while you’re riding.
QUICK: Locate your quick-release levers and ensure they’re closed tightly. Quick-release levers can be found in the center of the wheel, at the bottom of the seat post and at the brakes.
CHECK: After checking that your bike is safe to ride, check yourself! Your shoes should be closed-toe, laces should be tied and your right pant leg should be rolled up so it doesn’t get caught in the chain.
It’s also recommended that children learn to use proper hand signals so they can communicate to nearby drivers when they intend to turn. Younger children can ride on sidewalks and walk their bikes when crossing the street. More experienced riders may prefer to ride on bike lanes. All riders must follow the flow of automobile traffic. All cyclists should wear brightly colored clothing and look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
Bike to School Day Event Details
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 | 7:30—8:30 a.m.
Ride begins inside Flamingo Park near the basketball courts.
Michigan Avenue and 13th Street, Miami, Florida
Ride ends at the Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center.
1420 Washington Avenue, Miami, Florida
This event is hosted by the University of Miami BikeSafe Program, which is supported by the KiDZ Neuroscience Center and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
About the BikeSafe Program
BikeSafe aims to reduce pediatric bicycle injuries by collaborating with public schools and parks to teach bicycling safety to children in grades 6 through 8. The program also advocates for bicycle facilities and infrastructure improvements through partnerships with local governments, traffic planners, the school district, the community and parks. The program provides online training and educational curriculums for physical education teachers and camp counselors. The training tools and curriculums allow these safety lessons to spread into the community. The curricula contain all the necessary components of bicycle safety: proper helmet use, parts of the bicycle, rules of the road, riding predictably and being visible. BikeSafe maintains partnerships with local police departments and other community organizations to ensure that schools and the surrounding communities are safe environments that support healthy, active living.
For more information, email [email protected] or call (305) 243-0349.
Tags: Bike to School Day, BikeSafe, KiDZ Neuroscience Center, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
