Bicycle safety program returns

Cycling News

April 28, 1997
Immediate Release

Bicycle Safety Program returns to Saskatoon Schools

Saskatoon, SK (Canada) -- The P.O.W. City Kinsmen club is sending instructors into Saskatoon schools to provide bicycle safety training to grade three students, beginning May 5. Students will receive one hour of classroom instruction followed by an hour of practice to develop safe riding habits.

The program lets 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. Classroom instruction is provided by Saskatoon District Health Board nurses and on-bike sessions are presented by trained and certified CAN-BIKE instructors.

Thirteen instructors are being trained to deliver on-bike sessions this season. Thirty public health nurses will receive in-service training to prepare for the classroom sessions. Last year, the first time the program was offered, five instructors visited 49 of Saskatoon's 76 public and Catholic elementary schools. Approximately 2,200 students participated in the sessions.

"The Kinsmen motto is ‘Serving the community's greatest needs', so teaching bike safety to prevent our children from injury was a natural fit with our program," said Phil Thacker, chair of the P.O.W. City Kinsmen bicycle safety program committee. "We are very grateful for the help provided to us by the Saskatoon District Health Board."

"We're very excited to see CAN-BIKE instruction provided in schools," said Darrell Noakes, who is training the instructors for the program. "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. By providing this instruction now, we can prevent many needless injuries."

"Above all, we've been extremely impressed by the dedication and competence of the instructors recruited for the program," he said. "Since many of our instructors are university students, 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. Nurses receive a half-day of in-service training.

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For more information, contact:
Darrell Noakes, CAN-BIKE National Examiner
Borealis Outdoor Adventure, Saskatoon
343-6399 (work)

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April 28, 1997 Immediate Release Bicycle Safety Program returns to Saskatoon Schools Saskatoon, SK (Canada) -- The P.O.W. City Kinsmen club is sending instructors into Saskatoon schools to provide bicycle safety training to grade three students, beginning May 5. Students will receive one hour of classroom instruction followed by an hour of practice to develop safe riding habits. The program lets 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. Classroom instruction is provided by Saskatoon District Health Board nurses and on-bike sessions are presented by trained and certified CAN-BIKE instructors. Thirteen instructors are being trained to deliver on-bike sessions this season. Thirty public health nurses will receive in-service training to prepare for the classroom sessions. Last year, the first time the program was offered, five instructors visited 49 of Saskatoon's 76 public and Catholic elementary schools. Approximately 2,200 students participated in the sessions. "The Kinsmen motto is ‘Serving the community's greatest needs', so teaching bike safety to prevent our children from injury was a natural fit with our program," said Phil Thacker, chair of the P.O.W. City Kinsmen bicycle safety program committee. "We are very grateful for the help provided to us by the Saskatoon District Health Board." "We're very excited to see CAN-BIKE instruction provided in schools," said Darrell Noakes, who is training the instructors for the program. "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. By providing this instruction now, we can prevent many needless injuries." "Above all, we've been extremely impressed by the dedication and competence of the instructors recruited for the program," he said. "Since many of our instructors are university students, 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. Nurses receive a half-day of in-service training. - 30 - For more information, contact: Darrell Noakes, CAN-BIKE National Examiner Borealis Outdoor Adventure, Saskatoon 343-6399 (work) News index page

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