Www.vacc.bc.ca/schools Teachers on Bikes: Rolling Role Models cycling training for the school...

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Teachers on Bikes: Rolling Role Modelscycling training for the school community

Sept. 2008 – Seattle Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike

Arthur Orsini, M.A. (Env. Ed.)CTSC Program [email protected] Area Cycling CoalitionVancouver, Canada

Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition

mailto:[email protected]


Why offer cycling training to adults at schools?


• the ability to ride a bike safely and confidently in traffic is fundamental to the choice of a bike for transportation

• educators & school staff are commuters - making daily trips to high traffic destinations

• generate informed cyclists able to discuss their experiences in the classrooms

• adults in schools are role models - for students and the community

• educators need “maintain a higher standard of conduct than other employees (and by their conduct) uphold the values, beliefs, and knowledge sought to be transmitted by the school system” Ontario Education Act


...extend to Health Professionals


RECOMMENDATIONS TO PEDIATRICIANSPediatricians are dedicated to the promotion and protection of children’s health. Climate change threatens the health, welfare, and future of current and subsequent generations of children.

Pediatricians can incorporate considerations of the effects of climate change on ...personal lives ... lifestyle practices.

Some possible approaches might include the following.3. Serve as a role model for practices that promote environmentalsustainability. ... encourage and model reduced dependency on automobile travel...

November 2007



• coordination • scheduling, format

• promotion • presentations, conferences, newsletters

• cycling training• orientation, commuter skills, bike-ed resources

The workshop did an amazing job of combining environmental stewardship, social responsibility and active living.

I left feeling inspired and motivated to not only make changes in my personal life, but also to encourage my students to do the same.

Daniele C., Elementary Teacher, Vancouver

Cycling Training for the School Communityfor teachers, support staff, school administrators & SD staff


...elements of the CTSC program


A. Bikers’ Breakfast

C. Bike-Ed. Seminar

B. Commuter Cycling Skills Workshop



• takes place in school staff room (i.e where teachers/staff already are already gathered)

• includes coffee, juice, cinnamon buns ...bike maps & resources

• informal Q & A on any & all bike questions

• time: 30min (+/-)

• note: can also be a Bikers’ Lunch

A. Bikers’ Breakfast: an intro event to generate visibility around cycling to existing/potential cyclists in a school (or family of schools)



• in-class• check the safety of your bike, riding at

night, in the rain, route planning, road placement for turns

• in a parking lot• basic bike skills

• on-road• how to ride confidently in traffic,

placement for turns

B. Commuter Cycling Skills Workshop: full day CCSP workshop



• strategies, activities and resources relating to cycling safety, bike education and active transportation

• to integrate cycling into school community & classroom curriculum

• w/o knowing the specifics of the audience, focus on enthusiasm to take home to real license holders on students’ travel: parents

• cross curricular• mapping ~ students discuss with their parents

• streets or intersections to “avoid” or “exercise caution”• most direct vs. safest routes

• trip diaries • bike art• local & internet resources• collage and ‘zines• bikes as “car ads”

C. Bike-Ed seminar: in-class seminar (2-4hrs)


Pilot Project ~ May 2007


• 22 teaches and school staff from across Metro Vancouver

• ‘average’ = 36-year-old female elementary teacher

• 68% of participants felt much more confident as a cyclist and better prepared to promote cycling at their school

• 83% had “a lot of discussions” with colleagues in the staff room about commuter cycling

• in the 1½ months remaining in the school year, 93% had incorporated at least one bike activity into their classes


Pilot Project ~ May 2007


zero 1 or 2 3 or 4 everyday0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

55%

Frequency of Bike Commuting

Before workshop

At end of Workshop

One month later

Six months later

days cycling to work per week

You don’t have to bike every day to be a healthy, active and green role model.


2008 – efforts: what the pilot project didn’t show us

2009 - goals


• build into existing Pro-D. calendar more than 1 year in advance (13+ months advance booking)

• teachers need to recognize longevity of program

• posters & emails get ‘lost’ – i.e. Bikers’ Breakfast

• marketing & steady flow of articles & profiles

• wider assortment of booking options for schools

• building recognition into Pro-D. calendar

• WEEK-LONG media blitz across Metro Vancouver



• identify funding structures in your community

• tie-in with common goals & existing mandates (Ed. dept & outreach)

• support their existing efforts, programs and financial commitments

• commute to school is not strictly taking place on school property

• School District $ come from Victoria through a complicated process with so many necessities

• $ are often school-based & therefore tied in with local economic circumstances

How did we garner support?TransLink

City of Vancouver

Mun vs. SD (i.e. City of __________)


CTSC tools


• site pre-assessment sheet;• where to lock bikes, ensure room has overhead projector,

directions to room, contact name & #

• registration sheet• per season rather than per workshop

• orientation survey• current obstacles & questions (physical & emotional), why

they want to commute by bike, future role model?, bike-ed questions

• 4 attributes & assessment sheets• head, heart, hands, feet ...& back wheel• what, where & when, who, what & how

• workshop evaluation• ...if the workshop continued for another hour, what would

you want to learn more about?


CTSC Resources


• bookmarks

• website

• report from pilot project

• Transport Canada case study: http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP/cyclingtraining.htm

• media stories

• resources sheet

http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP/cyclingtraining.htm

Www.vacc.bc.ca/schools Teachers on Bikes: Rolling Role Models cycling training for the school...

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