Ride your bike to Sam Steele Sunday at Western Financial Place

What happens when you combine Grade 4 students and bicycles? The answer is lots of fun!

The Rotary Club of Cranbrook Sunrise has offered the ‘Rotary We-Bike Cycling Program’ to local schools through this May and June.

Over 450 young students from 21 classes within 13 different schools from Cranbrook, Kimberley and Jaffray participated in the spring 2018 program.

Each class bikes through three 50 to 60 minute skill and stamina building sessions. The goals of the We-Bike program are to strengthen cycling skills in a fun and safe learning atmosphere and to increase the young students’ knowledge about cycling safety.

A crew of 20 volunteers, including trained coaches, Rotarians, parents and We-Bike supporters, helped power through the program’s 59 in-school sessions.

“It is such a great opportunity to teach children bike safety, healthy lifestyle choices, leisure options, and build relationships, both with knowledgeable community leaders and students and between students themselves. The We-Bike program brings the classroom outside – it brings the classroom to life – and it connects children to their community,” said Jerelynn MacNeil, Principal of St. Mary’s Catholic Independent School.

“It is amazing to their teachers and me just how much our students grow in skills and confidence over the three lessons. I’ve watched skilled riders improve, but most importantly, I’ve witnessed non-riders move from training wheels to riding over moving ramps and through obstacles. The joy the students express in being able to successfully attain these skills is wonderful to see,” said Brenda Tyson, Principal of École T.M. Roberts Elementary School.

“I had a few first-time riders and I was amazed at how quickly they picked up the basic skills of biking, which is a credit to the instructors, with their kind approach and patience. There were so many highlights of this program, but what truly stands out are the students’ smiles and watching some of my more timid students ride the skinnies and teeter‑totters. Most importantly, I see more students riding their bikes to school since having the We-Bike program at Amy Woodland and to me this is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I love seeing the bike racks full every morning and knowing that those who took part in the program can safely ride their bikes,” said Jill Carley, Vice Principal of Amy Woodland School.

Dewayne Penner, President of Sunrise Rotary Club of Cranbrook added, “Our Sunrise Rotary Club is thrilled to offer this program for young children in the local area. It is vitally important to all of us to help kids be active and enjoy the incredible outdoors we have here in our corner of B.C.”

Ride your Bike to Sam Steele Sunday at Western Financial Place

How many bicycle riders are there in Cranbrook and surrounding area?

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Cranbrook is challenging all local families and cyclists of all ages to ride their bikes down to the Western Financial Place on Sam Steele Sunday, June 17.

The Rotary We-Bike cycling program will be setting up their fun bike activities from 12:30-3 p.m. at Western Financial Place.

Bring the whole family down and challenge your bike skills. Meet us at the top of the ramp that leads down into the WFP. The activities will be set up on the arena floor. It’s a great chance for the We-Bike students to bring their parents, siblings and grandparents down and show them how well they can ride tight corners, do the limbo and challenge the ramps and teeter-totters.

There will be lots of fun Sam Steele Days activities going on all Sunday to celebrate the 2018 theme of Salute to Sport, including the Torch Ceremony for the 2018 55+ BC Games which happens at noon.

Check out the Sam Steele Days website for all the fun details.

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