- @ 8:20 am
Join us at 8:20am at the circle at Walter Pierce Park and we’ll bike together to Oyster campus. Running a few minutes late? You'll still have time to join the group by the metro bus station at the start of the Calvert bridge. Join the WhatsApp group for more frequent communications.
Kids want to ride bikes because it’s FUN, but there are also a lot of other benefits:
- Good for your wallet! Riding a bike saves money compared to driving, as researched and documented by OA 2nd graders at last year's STEM showcase (see here)
- Good for your body! Riding builds strong muscles and bones and benefits coordination and balance.
- Good for learning! Riding a bike to school improves student focus during the school day.
Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Helmets for children are required by law. Need a helmet? You can take any child under 16 to a District Police Station (find yours here) to have a free helmet fitted for them.
- Make sure you’re visible. Wear bright clothing, and use a white front light, red back light, and reflectors on your bike. Free lights and reflectors will be available at the Friday bike rides.
- Ride a bike that fits you. A bike that’s too big can be hard to control. Learn more about what size bike is right for your child and how to check your bike. Need a bike? You can ask in your school whatsapp groups, second hand stores, and neighborhood listserves or Facebook Buy Nothing groups.
- Need to learn to ride a bike? Children will practice in their P.E. class (thanks, Sr. Hernandez!). The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) also offers classes for children (and adults!) to learn to ride.
Other resources:
- Plan your route using the DC Comprehensive Bike Lane Map
- More WABA cycling classes, including confident city biking!
- The Washington Area Bicyclist Association youth education page
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bicycle safety page
- U.S. Department of Transportation bicycle safety page
- Pocket guide to DC Bike Laws
- Great read about bicibuses on the Washington Post
