Youth Education

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Bring BikeWalkKC to your school or organization.

We serve dozens of schools and thousands of kids every year, making a direct impact on the health and happiness of our youth that extends to our entire community. Kids become safer, healthier, more confident, and more engaged in the world around them.

Most programs are funded by federal transportation grants from the Mid-America Regional Council and the Missouri & Kansas Departments of Transportation, with matching funds from several local charitable foundations. Partners may be asked to pay a fee for these programs and services. Priority is given to partners serving under-invested neighborhoods and underserved populations.

BLAST (Bicycle Lesson And Safety Training)

An innovative and proven school-based program teaches elementary school students the skills and knowledge required for safe and effective cycling. BLAST: Kids on Bikes is developed by bicycle education professionals and reviewed by educators and parents.

BLAST is a primer for students to gain an understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations. The class aims to produce cyclists who ride safely and skillfully. By inviting BLAST into the classroom, PE teachers are providing their students with a formal education on an important topic and helping to create an educational culture that values cycling as a basic life skill.

Goals

  • Improved bicycle handling skills
  • Proficiency of basic traffic skills
  • Identification and avoidance of hazards

BikeWalkKC's trained instructors, assisted by the school's PE teachers, deliver three hours of class time. Each course includes classroom instruction and on-bike riding skills. Students practice bicycling in a controlled environment. Bicycles and helmets are provided for a limited number of students (we urge the school to encourage students to bring their own bikes and helmets). We provide all other equipment and instructors for the program.

Pre-BLAST

Pre-BLAST recognizes differences in skill level, ability to ride a bike, and attention span of younger students as a precursor to our regular BLAST cohorts. The end goal for all participants is to prepare them for the full BLAST training once they reach 5-6th grades. For many participants, this is their first time on a bike and an introduction to active transportation. Over the course of four in-school sessions, students practice bike handling skills in a controlled environment with direction from our trained instructors and assistance from the PE teacher.

Maintain Your Ride

Students learn basic bicycle mechanic skills with daily projects. A small class allows for individual instructor training to ensure concept comprehension. Students are tested on their knowledge of the subjects through occasional worksheets and quizzes. With successful completion of the program, students will gain hands-on knowledge of how to mechanically care for their bike. And if needed, they can receive a ​bicycle they helped to fix and a new helmet.

Bike Club

​This program encourages youth to explore their neighborhood while building their physical stamina and peer network through weekly group rides. Participants learn the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists on the road, route mapping tips, and basic bicycle maintenance. Bike Club lasts 8-10 weeks and is geared for middle and high school students.

Pedestrian Safety Training

Students learn how to navigate crosswalks, streets, parking lots and sidewalks on foot. Instructors use practical exercises and interactive curriculum to teach walking (or rolling, if you're using a mobility device) as transportation. Through practical exercises, students gain the confidence to walk safely in their community.

Bring BikeWalkKC to your school or organization.

 

Participating Schools

blast2015Since 2012 our Youth Education programs have served more than 32,000 students in more than 130 schools and 15 school districts across the region. School districts served include:

  • Center
  • Grandview
  • Hickman Mills
  • Independence
  • Kansas City, KS
  • Kansas City, MO
  • Kearney
  • Lawrence
  • North Kansas City
  • Olathe
  • Park Hill
  • Raytown
  • Shawnee Mission
  • Topeka
  • Turner
  • Charter and Independent Schools: Alta Vista, Citizens of the World, Clay-Platte Montessori, Crossroads Academy, Curé of Ars, Ewing Marion Kauffman School, Horizon Academy, St. Agnes Catholic School