Safe Routes Philly teaching bike safety at Immaculate Heart of Mary School

Students: 87 Students (4th and 5th grade)
Date: April 13, 2010
Philly Neighborhood: Andorra

On Tuesday, Safe Routes Philly was invited to teach bike safety to the fourth and fifth graders of Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School in the Andorra area of Philly. A special thanks goes out to Nurse Beth for helping to make it happen!

What great kids! It was amazing to see that practically all of the students in our classes already have a bike. Our lessons were very interactive, fun, and very informative for our students. We had a whole classroom of students making beats with their hands and chanting the skills to wear a helmet (eyes, ears, mouth!) and the process to check a bike before riding (ABC Quick Check!). It was new material for most of them. Many of them shared personal stories of mechanical errors and accidents while they were on their bikes. They posed some thoughtful questions during our lesson, such as, "when is a good time to use bike lights?" and "how should you ride around a person who is deaf?". They also posed some amusing questions too, such as, "Mr. Cy, are you Mexican?"

Altogether, it was a wonderful experience. Even after years of teaching experience, the first day in teaching with the Bicycle Coalition got me a little nervous. However, once I stepped into the classroom, all the nerves went away. I felt at home and I was ready to make a change. When the day was done, the incredible, positive response from the students left me charged and excited for the future. I love my job. Eighty-seven more students are now safer in the streets of Philadelphia!

~Cy

Are you an elementary school teacher in Philadelphia, or do you know someone that is? The Safe Routes Philly team is seeking a couple of elementary school teachers (2^nd grade and 5^th grade) to help us pilot our new pedestrian and bicycle curriculum. We need your feedback. Please contact Diana Owens, diana@bicyclecoalition.org .