Safe Routes to School Advocate Brings SuperCyclist Training to Arlington Area
It
takes a special person to achieve all that Sharon Canclini is working
to achieve for children’s health and safety. Through her
Community Nursing class at Texas Christian University (TCU), Sharon
helps nurses learn how to identify and meet community health
needs. This includes knowledge of how to teach bicycle safety to
children.
Sharon is also pursuing a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant for
complete sidewalks and other walking and bicycle infrastructure for the
school in her Arlington neighborhood, the Carol Holt Elementary School
(EL)
Carol Holt EL is a beautiful new (2007) school surrounded by
neighborhoods. Unfortunately, like too many new schools, planning
and construction failed to resolve barriers that prevent children from
safely walking or biking to school. There are narrow roads that
drop off into ditches. Private properties and fence-lines prevent
other avenues of access to the school. Children walking or
bicycling are forced to navigate rough shoulders and ditches.
Sharon says this situation is complicated by truck traffic to and from a gas exploration well near the school.
Sharon called TBC to arrange a Texas SuperCyclist Teacher Certification Training on April 11, 2008 for her nursing students, as
well as for teachers, public health professionals and other youth
workers in the area.
SuperCyclist Teacher Training Held April 5 at Houston’s Barnett Sports Complex
Jose Santiago, Manager of the Elementary Health/PE Curriculum Department for Houston ISD (HISD) played host for the Texas SuperCyclist Teacher Certification Training held on April 5, 2008.
The threat of rain was no problem since the training was held at HISD’s Barnett Sports Complex. The beautiful facility was perfect for the training and Texas SuperCyclist instructor Dan Raine put forth his deep knowledge and subtle sense of humor to bring the bike safety material to life for the teachers.
Nine enthusiastic teachers attended the Saturday training. Pictured left to right are Lonnie Reynolds of Dogan Elementary (EL,) Marshal Lyons of Whidby EL, Richard Lee of De Chaumes EL, Gerome Wintz of Gray EL, Stacey Buonarosa of Tomball EL, Jason Lewis of Codwell EL, Richard Solis of Whittier EL, Everett Dickenson of Hartsfield EL and Instructor Dan Raine. (Roscoe Farmer of Tinsley EL had to leave right before the final group shot.)
Cyclists! Medical investigators need your help with an online survey
that will provide researchers with detailed information about cycling
health and injuries. “While there are reams of data on children and
helmets, and great information demonstrating the risk of intoxication
and bicycle riding, little exists on those who ride their bikes for
fitness, fun, competition, commuting or as messengers,” notes Principal Investigator Mark Greve, MD.
The “Cyclist Health and Injury Survey” will create a more complete
picture of active cyclists, how often they ride, how their health is
affected by cycling and the types of injuries sustained while cycling.
“The largest data sets from groups like the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration lump cycling and pedestrian injuries together.
This is an incredible disservice to cyclists since these activities
result in very different kinds of injuries,” says Greve.
Researchers
from the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital are
launching the survey to expand knowledge about cycling-specific
injuries and promote safer and healthier cycling. So, let’s help them
out, submit a survey, and continue to build the data we need to improve cycling in our community.
Adventure Cycling Inspires Adults to Get Kids Psyched on Bikes
For Immediate Release March 19, 2008
Adventure Cycling Inspires Adults to Get Kids Psyched on Bikes
New Pedal Pioneers Course trains adults to lead overnight bike trips for kids
Missoula, Mont. — Adventure Cycling Association announces a fantastic new educational offering, the Pedal Pioneers Training Course (PPTC). Designed to get kids off the couch and onto a bicycle saddle, this is a leadership course for adults who want to take groups of kids on overnight bicycle adventures. The PPTC distills Adventure Cycling's decades' worth of experience in organizing and leading bicycle tours, and wraps it into a three-day package that will impart a wealth of knowledge and know-how on and off the bike. Continuing education credits are available.
"Our goal is to give adult leaders the tools they will need to take a group of kids on the adventure of a lifetime – whether it is an overnight outing or a month-long tour," says Becky Douglas, Adventure Cycling's outreach and education coordinator. "Three days of demonstrations, role-playing, lectures, and riding will hone participants' leadership skills, and point them down the road to leading successful youth bicycle adventures."
TBC
