Friday, May 15, 2009

Walgrove Elementary Rides





In the end we counted 27 bikes parked at the racks where just 3 or 4 are seen on a normal day: Great turnout, and see how easy it was. One week it took us, not more. The school also had a good contingent of placard bearing teachers on the sidewalk, a peloton of five turned two rounds of honor on the backtop, bicycle bells were ringing, even a few whistles, and we managed to get together a few email addresses of cycling partents. No Fox News yet, but we are waiting for the results from the video workshop, Jonathan.

How did it happen? An chance encounter at the bike valet parking (Thanks Lumo, a few eager parents, an announcement from the deputy principal, it seems everybody was just waiting for this initiative to happen. Thanks, LAUSD for declaring bike to school day, - but we want it every month, every week now. We tried it, and we liked it.
And now: The PTSA is thinking to engange the services of a safe cycling instructor, diary pages are turned to find a new date, when the concerns of the teachers are not competing with the work of the cyclists. Safely, often, and very visibly: "There they are again, so many", "But I told you everybody cycles", "Mom, I also want to ride a bike", "Daaaad, stop, let me out of the car, I want a bicycle." This is what we will hear, loud and clear, from the back seats in the neighborhood - watch this space for updates!

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