IMMEDIATE
March 15, 1999
Bicycle Safety Program returns to Saskatoon Schools
SASKATOON, SK (Canada) -- Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), P.O.W. City Kinsmen club and Borealis Outdoor Adventure have teamed up to bring cycling education to Saskatoon's grade three students for the fourth year.
Kids CAN-BIKE instructors will visit Saskatoon schools between May 3 and June 11 to provide bicycle safety training to grade three students. Students receive one hour of classroom instruction followed by an hour of practice to develop safe riding habits.
The program helps children learn skills that prevent cycling injuries and develop responsible habits and attitudes.
The program is based on principles of the Canadian Cycling Association CAN-BIKE program.
The Kinsmen and SGI provide funding to employ university students as program instructors. Borealis Outdoor Adventure conducts instructor training and administers the program.
This is the fourth year the program is being offered. Each year, instructors visit Saskatoon's 80 public, Catholic and private elementary schools. About 3,000 students participate in the sessions.
Cycling falls and crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for children, and children from age 8 to 12 are at the highest risk.
The program also provides useful job skills for the instructors, most of whom are university students training as teachers. The program not only provides a portion of their summer employment, but also gives them marketable job skills that can help them after graduation.
Instructors complete a 22-hour training program that includes cycling skills development, risk management procedures and certification as Kids CAN-BIKE Instructors.
For more information, contact:
Darrell Noakes, CAN-BIKE National Examiner
Borealis
Outdoor Adventure