vacc.bc/schools

1. Teachers on Bikes: Rolling Role Models cycling training for the school community Sept. 2008 – Seattle Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike Arthur Orsini, M.A. (Env. Ed.) CTSC Program Director schools@vacc.bc.ca Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition Vancouver, Canada Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

2. Why offer cycling training to adults at schools? • the ability to ride a bike safely and confidently in traffic is fundamental to the choice of a bike for transportation • educators & school staff are commuters - making daily trips to high traffic destinations • generate informed cyclists able to discuss their experiences in the classrooms • adults in schools are role models - for students and the community • educators need “maintain a higher standard of conduct than other employees (and by their conduct) uphold the values, beliefs, and knowledge sought to be transmitted by the school system” Ontario Education Act Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

3. ...extend to Health Professionals • RECOMMENDATIONS TO PEDIATRICIANS • Pediatricians are dedicated to the promotion and protection of children’s health. Climate change threatens the health, welfare, and future of current and subsequent generations of children. • Pediatricians can incorporate considerations of the effects of climate change on ...personal lives ... lifestyle practices. • Some possible approaches might include the following. • 3. Serve as a role model for practices that promote environmental • sustainability. ... encourage and model reduced dependency on automobile travel... • November 2007 Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

4. Cycling Training for the School Community for teachers, support staff, school administrators & SD staff • coordination • scheduling, format • promotion • presentations, conferences, newsletters • cycling training • orientation, commuter skills, bike-ed resources The workshop did an amazing job of combining environmental stewardship, social responsibility and active living. I left feeling inspired and motivated to not only make changes in my personal life, but also to encourage my students to do the same. Daniele C., Elementary Teacher, Vancouver Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

5. ...elements of the CTSC program • A. Bikers’ Breakfast • B. Commuter Cycling • Skills Workshop • C. Bike-Ed. Seminar Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

6. A. Bikers’ Breakfast: an intro event to generate visibility around cycling to existing/potential cyclists in a school (or family of schools) • takes place in school staff room (i.e where teachers/staff already are already gathered) • includes coffee, juice, cinnamon buns ...bike maps & resources • informal Q & A on any & all bike questions • time: 30min (+/-) • note: can also be a Bikers’ Lunch Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

7. B. Commuter Cycling Skills Workshop: full day CCSP workshop • in-class • check the safety of your bike, riding at night, in the rain, route planning, road placement for turns • in a parking lot • basic bike skills • on-road • how to ride confidently in traffic, placement for turns Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

8. C. Bike-Ed seminar: in-class seminar (2-4hrs) • strategies, activities and resources relating to cycling safety, bike education and active transportation • to integrate cycling into school community & classroom curriculum • w/o knowing the specifics of the audience, focus on enthusiasm to take home to real license holders on students’ travel: parents • cross curricular • mapping ~ students discuss with their parents • streets or intersections to “avoid” or “exercise caution” • most direct vs. safest routes • trip diaries • bike art • local & internet resources • collage and ‘zines • bikes as “car ads” Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

9. Pilot Project ~ May 2007 • 22 teaches and school staff from across Metro Vancouver • ‘average’ = 36-year-old female elementary teacher • 68% of participants felt much more confident as a cyclist and better prepared to promote cycling at their school • 83% had “a lot of discussions” with colleagues in the staff room about commuter cycling • in the 1½ months remaining in the school year, 93% had incorporated at least one bike activity into their classes Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

10. Pilot Project ~ May 2007 • You don’t have to bike every day to be a healthy, active and green role model. Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

11. 2008 – efforts: what the pilot project didn’t show us 2009 - goals • build into existing Pro-D. calendar more than 1 year in advance (13+ months advance booking) • teachers need to recognize longevity of program • posters & emails get ‘lost’ – i.e. Bikers’ Breakfast • marketing & steady flow of articles & profiles • wider assortment of booking options for schools • building recognition into Pro-D. calendar • WEEK-LONG media blitz across Metro Vancouver Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

12. How did we garner support? TransLink City of Vancouver Mun vs. SD (i.e. City of __________) • identify funding structures in your community • tie-in with common goals & existing mandates (Ed. dept & outreach) • support their existing efforts, programs and financial commitments • commute to school is not strictly taking place on school property • School District $ come from Victoria through a complicated process with so many necessities • $ are often school-based & therefore tied in with local economic circumstances Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

13. CTSC tools • site pre-assessment sheet; • where to lock bikes, ensure room has overhead projector, directions to room, contact name & # • registration sheet • per season rather than per workshop • orientation survey • current obstacles & questions (physical & emotional), why they want to commute by bike, future role model?, bike-ed questions • 4 attributes & assessment sheets • head, heart, hands, feet ...& back wheel • what, where & when, who, what & how • workshop evaluation • ...if the workshop continued for another hour, what would you want to learn more about? Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools

14. CTSC Resources • bookmarks • website • report from pilot project • Transport Canada case study: http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP/cyclingtraining.htm • media stories • resources sheet Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition www.vacc.bc.ca/schools