Bicycling program begins in Moses Lake schools

MOSES LAKE — Garden Heights Elementary School students were dressed in pajamas Wednesday, but alert for class, as they prepared to ride bicycles.

Moses Lake School District debuted a bicycling unit for elementary school students, funded through a Washington State Legislature Road Safety Education pilot grant.

A set of 30 bicycles are being cycled between the schools, said Michelle Price, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

Students at Garden Heights were first in the district to use the new bikes.

Wednesday was special because the students were also dressed in pajamas for Spirit Week.

Nolan Sloan, 10, and David Moreno, 9, both rode on their own for the first time on the fourth day of the program.

“It felt great,” said Sloan.

“My mom and dad are going to be happy that I can,” said Moreno.

Moreno said he doesn’t own a bike, but he thinks his siblings will let him borrow theirs.

Sloan said student teacher Matt Ahmann gave him the confidence to continue trying until he could ride on his own.

“I thought Mr. Ahmann was still hanging onto me, but then I started noticing that there wasn’t anything on my back,” Sloan said.

Ahmann, who finishes student teaching for his Bachelor of Science degree in May, said the bicycling program helps students learn bicycle safety.

The students also build communication skills and self confidence through the program, while becoming more balanced bicyclists, he said.

Students learn how to signal turns and change lanes with other traffic.

“They’ve never tried to ride with one hand and it’s really important to ride with one hand, because they’ve got to signal,” said Ahmann. “Now they can feel confident to get out in traffic or … across the street.”

Ahmann said students are improving since the program’s first day.

The students learn about traffic laws, causes of bicycle accidents, and transportation options available to students, she said.

The curriculum was developed by the League of American Bicyclists and modified to include curriculum developed by the Federal Highway Administration, Price said.

Helmets were donated by Safe Kids Grant County.

Price called the district’s selection to participate in the program a “unique honor.”