Zavala Elem. & Austin Safe Routes to School Host BikeTexas SafeCyclist Training

BikeTexas conducted the first SafeCyclist Certification Training for this grant year on January 26, 2011. The training provided twenty-three elementary Physical Education teachers, public safety officers, and youth professionals with the tools and resources to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety to their students The participants practiced the activities from the SafeCyclist lessons. They played the Bicycle Parts Relay, which is a race to pin name cards on the corresponding parts of a bicycle. They also learned bike and pedestrian laws during a circle running game and a rousing game of charades.

The training was a success thanks to the efforts of both Austin SRTS and Zavala Elementary staff. The team at Austin Safe Routes to School (SRTS) was instrumental in promoting the training to teachers and community partners involved in their program. The staff at Zavala Elementary are actively involved in encouraging their students to walk and bike to school, and offered to host the training at their school.

The participants represented a variety of occupations and demonstrated how important community partners can be to the success of a school’s bike and walk program. The group included teachers, City of Austin Park Rangers, a bicycle shop owner, bicycle shop employees, and instructors from Expedition School who utilize nature as the classroom. Several of the teachers have already organized bike clubs at their schools.

The next training in Austin is February 17 at Langford Elementary in Austin. Click here or visit BikeTexas.org/SafeCyclist for more information and to register.

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