Note from Peggy: By teaching elementary school kids to ride, my sister, Karen, sees that bicycling is much more than getting around for many of them. Sam benefited from that lifelong lesson when he learned to cycle.

Here’s wisdom Karen has to share, one year in as a volunteer instructor for Safe Routes to School:

A child’s joy when riding a bicycle for the first time is indescribable. Their sense of accomplishment, the confidence it builds, and the possibilities it affords are vividly painted on the face of each new rider.

For the past year, I’ve been a bicycle instructor, teaching safety skills as well as teaching how to ride. I am not a school teacher. But I do have a love for physical movement that includes riding bicycles and want to share that ability with others.

Children have a range of abilities that include everything you can imagine—from never riding a bicycle, to being unable to balance on a strider (a bicycle without pedals), to anxiety about riding in general. Some children also have different levels of disability. With rare exception the instructors—myself included—have no idea what those abilities or disabilities might be.

I had assumed that most parents encouraged their children to ride bicycles. In some cases, there is anxiety, embarrassment, shame, or other emotions held by the children that parents know and might address with them beforehand. They wonder, “Should I excuse my child from participating? Should I work with my child at home to teach them how to ride before the class even starts? Should I personally come to class to help my child?” Parents who share these questions simply want to do the best thing for their child.

The joy of freedom to ride opens up so many opportunities—whether a child has an adaptive need or not. The ability to ride means she can bicycle to her friend’s home. She can join the family in rides to the park, library, or community pool. She also gains confidence by learning a powerful new skill—and that stays with her throughout life.

I’m thankful for those who worked through the various situations at home and gave permission for their child to participate. I encourage parents to invite them to play and learn to ride. Make room for a child to learn something that may be thought of as “hard”. Learning to ride brings not only the skill of cycling, but countless other lessons. And the smile on all those faces when the kids are moving forward is golden. Put a spotlight on it and let it shine!