As I work with the Vision 2020 Bike-Walk Trail committee, I hear from Austin natives about how bicycle education used to take place for elementary students. At some point, it was phased out. Happily, we are working with Austin Public Schools to bring in a new, free curriculum called Bike! Walk! Fun! to our elementary schools and other community organizations.

The Bike-Walk Trails committee is collaborating with Mower County SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) to bring Bike! Walk! Fun! to Austin. The curriculum is offered free from the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. It is available to download on www.bikemn.org.

The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota also offers training for any community members who are interested in teaching the curriculum. Working with SHIP, Vision 2020 Bike-Walk Trails committee plans to host a training session in the fall. We will invite classroom teachers, law enforcement, YMCA staff, after-school program coordinators, community education directors, 4-H and Girl Scout/Boy Scout youth leaders. The cost of training will be covered by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota and Mower County SHIP, so participants do not need to pay to attend. (If you would like to receive information about the training session in the fall, please email me at laura@vision2020austin.com.)

Why is it important to teach our kids about bicycle safety? According to the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools (www.saferoutesinfo.org):

“Two recent studies have found that walking to school is associated with higher overall physical activity throughout the day. There are many potential benefits of physical activity for youth including:

•Weight and blood pressure control

•Bone, muscle, and joint health and maintenance

•Reduction in the risk of diabetes

•Improved psychological welfare

•Better academic performance

Walking and bicycling to school also may help contribute to the developmental health of children. Some children today have less independence than their parents did and this lack of independence can negatively impact their social behavior development … Children may lose some relatively ‘safe’ opportunities to make decisions independently. They miss some of the lessons gained from learning from mistakes and the confidence that comes with success.”

This focus on educating kids on bike safety comes right along side the annual Bike Safety Bash, scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the Lion’s Park Pavilion, near Queen of Angels church. There will be safety information and a chance to have the safety of your bicycle checked by experts. Also, families in need can purchase a high-quality, fitted helmet for a $5 co-pay.

This event is a collaboration of the YMCA of Austin, Austin Police Department, Gold Cross Ambulance, Rydjor Bike, Mayo Clinic Health System—Albert Lea Austin, Mower Refreshed, Southern Minnesota Bike Club and Vision 2020 Bike & Walking Trail Committee with funding from the Hormel Foundation.

See you there!