This term Year 4 and 5 students from Ms Viney, Ms MacLean, Ms Power, Mr Burns and Mr Branson’s classes have been taking part in a Bike Education program.  It has been an experience for everyone participating, as some of us did not remember how to ride a bike or have never ridden a bike before, some had limited experience and some have a lot of confidence, experience, and skills with riding bikes.  

Before anyone could ride their bikes as part of the program, students who brought their bike to school had to go through an official RAA safety check. Every week before we ride, we check the bike, the air in the tyres, how well the brakes work, whether the chain is broken, and we did the drop test to make sure it does not fall apart. We also had to check our helmet to make sure it fits, and our shoelaces were tied up properly to make sure they do not get caught in the chain of the bike while riding.  

After the initial safety discussion, it was time to form groups. Three groups were formed based on those who are comfortable and confident with riding and those who are not confident or had little experience of riding bikes. Everyone that was in the first two groups started riding around the school, as we are all making sure that we can have control of our bikes and practice following the road rules.

These groups learnt how to ride in a line so they will be able to go on a bike ride on the roads around the local community within the next couple of weeks.  Students who were not that confident started their session with small goals. Some of the goals ranged from just sitting on the bike and lifting their feet off the ground while others had to practice pedalling, only doing 5 rounds of pedals as well as learning and practicing riding on grass.

 While this group were gaining their confidence in riding bikes the other two groups were riding around the school and around the oval. They also played a game where everyone rides in a circle, during the game students were not able to put their feet down or talk while doing different challenges. If you did have to put your feet down or spoke, you were out which meant that you stand on the edge of the circle making a border.  

The Bike Ed instructors also showed us how gears work and how to change them correctly. Lower gears make it easier to pedal so we use lower gears uphill and on grass and sand. Higher gears make it harder to pedal they are used for going downhill.  

Thanks to all the Bike Ed instructors, teachers, SSO’s and volunteers for their encouragement and support. We all have had so much fun doing Bike Ed. 

Saoirse Stiles 

Ms Power’s Class