Pitt-Bradford students raised money to bring a bike skills program to a local elementary school

Kindergarten graduates from Otto-Eldred Elementary School are starting off their summer with better bike balance and safety skills, thanks to a new program brought to the school by University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students.

Last spring, Pitt-Bradford sport and recreation management and hospitality management majors in Jodi Burns’ capstone class found a program that helps children learn the balance needed to ride and wanted to bring it to a local school.

The students researched the advantages of the program, All Kids Bike, and convinced two donors — Fred L. Burns Inc., a general contractor in Shippenville, and B&T Building Services Inc. in Bradford — to help purchase a full set of bikes for the elementary school.

On a late spring morning, a dozen kindergarteners lined up by a row of Striders, small bikes without training wheels or pedals, in the Otto-Eldred gym. PE teacher JT Magro had his own larger version on which to demonstrate. Even after only three times on the bikes, Magro said the students made progress quickly.

He demonstrated how students should “stride” while on the bike, momentarily catching their balance from time to time. By the end of a series of exercises and a game of red light, green light, all of the children made process as they step-step-glided their way across the gym floor — no pushing necessary.

“I love it,” Magro said of the program, which also allows him to drill students in bike safety. “I think it’s a great way to introduce riding a bike to kids.”

He plans to expand the program to first graders, whom he said can still use some practice with balance.

 “Our capstone students bought into the All Kids Bike mission: to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class,” said Burns.

The Pitt-Bradford students who took part were Ashton Beckerink of Jamestown, New York; Devin Stowe of Avoca, New York; Noah Wichert of Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania; Eileen Doherty of Canadensis, Pennsylvania; and Nicholas Marotta of Lake Mary, Florida.