PORT TOWNSEND — A bicycle safety program that has just finished its fall session helps to teach students the rules of the road and encourages them to use their bikes for transportation.
The program, administered by The ReCyclery of Port Townsend, a nonprofit, runs kids through obstacle courses and teaches them how to stay aware while riding.
“This is a path to lifetime fitness, and it increases the likelihood that kids will use their bikes to commute,” said Blue Heron Middle School Principal Diane Lashinsky during session of the program at the school last week.
“It also gives the kids a chance to interact with some really cool people as The ReCyclery provides some really positive role models.”
The ReCyclery offers new and used bikes, parts and accessories and does repairs, as well as hosting workshops.
ReCyclery board President Kees Kolff said that the fall session instructed two 25-member classes of seventh graders, while programs for the other grades will take place in the spring.
The key to the program is an acronym, SASS, which stands for scan, assess, signal and scan again, Kolff said.
“The kids need to be aware of what’s around them,” Kolff said.
“We tell them that bikes have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as any other vehicle.”
The school’s physical education teacher, Richard Glaubman, said that while many children can incorporate the rules into their riding, some had never ridden a bike.
“I didn’t anticipate that, but there are a few kids that had never ridden,” Glaubman said.
“They might be scared, or feel that they aren’t coordinated enough.”
For more information call The ReCyclery, 360-643-1755 or go to 1925 Blaine St.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.