Bryson Elementary Students Experience Cycling Safety Program
Fourth and fifth grade students at Bryson Elementary are the first group of GCS students to experience the Bicycle Skills Clinic, a four-week program that encourages children to ride bikes and promotes bike skills and safety. The program is funded by a Community Transformation Grant of LiveWell Greenville and is supported by Greenville Health System, Safe Kids Upstate and School Health.
The program includes 25 youth bikes and one adult bike for the instructor. The program will eventually rotate among other GCS elementary schools. The clinic’s first week is spent in the classroom, and the next three weeks involve time on bikes, including practice rides through obstacle courses, fitness laps, and lessons on safety while riding a bike. Students and instructors always commit to wear a bike helmet.
“Cycling is a lifelong sport that enhances student fitness,” said Melissa Patterson, GCS academic specialist for health and physical education. “Greenville County Schools is excited to partner with Safe Kids Upstate to provide valuable opportunities for our students to improve their cycling skills and refresh their knowledge on bike safety while having fun.”
Greenville was named a Biketown by the League of American Bicyclists in 2009 and has implemented initiatives to promote bicycle use, expand infrastructure and education among cyclists and motorists.
