As our Safe Routes Philly Community Representatives work with schools and educators, relationships naturally develop. These interpersonal relationships allow for a collaboration that would not come about if our program was merely a series of downloadable PDFs (although we make those available for educators as well).

One such example of the benefit of working closely with educators happened at Ludlow Elementary in Kensington. PE and Health teacher Sally Moore told our Community Rep Megan about a fleet of bikes she had obtained years ago through a grant program. The ravages of time, use, and vandalism had rendered them inoperable.

Recognizing the bikes as a valuable asset, Megan contacted a nearby Mennonite Church which advertised bicycle repair and arranged an inspection of the bike fleet. The damages were not as bad as presumed and for only $75 in parts the Sixth Street Mennonite Church folks fixed up the bikes with no extra charge for their labor. 

Today, Sally puts the bikes on trainers and uses them as fitness stations; she also uses the bikes to demonstrate concepts while teaching our bicycle safety lessons. Just some of the benefits of investing in our educators and giving them the tools and resources to bring bicycle and pedestrian safety into the classroom.

 

Our urban riding basics class will cover topics like:

• Buying the right bike
• Locking it up
• Helmets and clothing 
• Rules of the road 
• Sharing the road with vehicles and pedestrians

Classes are free but limited to 30 participants. To secure your spot, contact Thomas Jefferson Univ. by calling 215-503-7201. You do not need to bring a bike to the class. Date and location of the next class below:

Thursday, April 12th
Thomas Jefferson University
Hamilton Building (10th & Locust, Philadelphia PA)
Room 224
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm