Bike Safety Education Series: Lesson 1 - Basics of Bike Safety
This is the first part of a series of Safe Routes for Kids Curriculum blog posts. I'll be posting a brief overview of each lesson in the Safe Routes for Kids Curriculum as taught by BTA educators in Portland to schools in Portland Public, David Douglas, and Parkrose School Districts. This curriculum is also used by partners in Eugene, Ashland, Albany, Corvallis, Klamath Falls and Bend to teach 4th-7th graders across the state!
Lesson 1 – Basics of Bike Safety
Timing: One hour in class
Techniques: small group discussion, use Think, Pair, Share
1) Introduce yourself, your classroom rules, and the BTA (or your organization). Give students a brief day by day overview of the 10 lessons.
- Day 1: In class overview
- Day 2: Fitting Helmets
- Day 3: Fitting Bikes and basic rules (today we ride on the playground)
- Day 4: Braking and shifting (today we ride on the playground)
- Day 5: Turning left and right (today we ride on the playground)
- Day 6: Turing left and right at an intersection (today we ride on the street!)
- Day 7: Right of way (today we ride on the street!)
- Day 8: Right of way continued (today we ride on the street!)
- Day 9: Hazards and Right of Way (today we ride on the street!)
- Day 10: Community Ride! No lesson, just a ride in your school neighborhood. Invite parents.
2) Ask the students: "Who rode their bike today?"
3) Define the basics of bike safety: Visible, Predictable, Legal. Brainstorm what these concepts mean for biking safely.
- Visible: use lights/reflectors, riding in a big group, bright colors.
- Predictable: ride single file, use hand signals. Teach class hand signals.
- Legal: obey stop signs, stop lights, speed limit, yield to pedestrians, use hand signals.
4) Ask the kids to brainstorm the benefits of biking for transportation (health, cost, environment, fun -- there are lots!).
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