We piloted our first Cycle Smart cycling education program in three local schools in spring 2019. We ran the program at 6 more schools in 2021. Our program is based on a highly successful one developed by New Hope Community Bikes in Hamilton where it has been running for several years. The program is designed to develop practical life-long skills through safe cycling.
This is an engaging, hands-on program that equips students with a series of progressively challenging cycling skills while meeting the Ontario physical health and education curriculum guidelines.
TEACHERS: If you are interested in booking a Cycle Smart program at your school, please contact us at hello@bikewindsoressex.com. This is typically a presentation at a school assembly followed by a full day of on-bike training – helmet and bike fittings, ABC bike safety checks and skills training.
LIFELONG SKILLS THROUGH PHYSICAL LITERACY
The skills students learn through the Cycle Smart program makes them safer riders and safer future drivers. The program is based on two reputable sources: CAN-Bike, the national standard for safe cycling programs, and the Guide to Ride curriculum created by Physical and Health Education Canada. CAN-Bike 4 certified, experienced instructors are present at all Ride Smart events.
Parents and teachers can ask their school Principal about offering this program at their school.
Learning Outcomes
Our Cycle Smart education program supports the following curriculum outcomes:
Health and Safety, Injury Prevention
- Basic traffic concepts and rules
- Appreciation of the bike as a vehicle
- Importance of wearing a helmet and appropriate clothing
- Traffic signs and traffic dynamics
- Safe cyclists make safe drivers
Physical Activity
- Benefits of cycling, healthy lifestyle
- Cycling skills, balance, motion, control of bicycle.
- Promoting cycling as a life long activity
- Physical literacy
Social Studies
- Environmental benefits of cycling
- Responsible citizenship, sharing the road
- Reduced carbon footprint
Geography
- Plot safe cycle routes around the city on a map
- Draw area circle to indicate bike-able distance and time required on map.
Technology
- Use online mapping programs such as Google maps or Mapmyride to determine bike route distances.
- Learn bicycle component names and how different mechanical systems of a bicycle work.
Mathematics
- Calculate cost of riding a bicycle versus driving a car, ownership of both
- Determine how to set up a bicycle computer – using principles of measurement, circumference.
- Calculate time required to travel distance on a map
