Over 30 students participate in BSAFE Learn to Ride Clinic
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:30PM On Saturday October 1st, BSAFE started it scholastic year by offering free bicycle riding lessons, over 30 children took advantage of this opportunity.
BSAFE (Bicycle Safety Awareness For Everyone) aims to provide free cycling education and events for all levels and abilities. During the school year BSAFE focuses primarily on 8-10 year old children, because studies have shown that the highest incidence of bike related accidents happen in the 11-12 year old age group.
The festival grounds provide the ideal area to teach and learn, thankfully I had some fantastic volunteers; with Rotaractors Tashima and Maggie Barzey as the sign up team, I felt we had a good flow of children getting on the bikes. Lloyd Duberry and Gareth Thomas were key for practicing the balance phase of learning.
As always it proved to be fun for the parents too, there was a lot of clapping and cheering coming from the tents when children got their first solo pedal strokes in. A lot of the parents were very keen to help once I showed them the number one tip for teaching; “balance the rider not the bike”, some parents seemed as excited as the kids.
This year is starting differently because of funding shortfalls brought on by the government’s budget challenges over the past two years. BSAFE only continues to exist because of the continued and generous support of private sector sponsors: Caribbean Alliance and its agents Caribbean Insurers, the Rotary Club of Tortola, Burke’s Garage, Ogier and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
To move BSAFE forward into the new year I have had to become a little more creative in my fundraising efforts to try and make up the $50,000 shortfall of funds.
Next week I hope to be able to officially launch the BSAFE 24-Hour Challenge, I have been working on this idea for over 2 months and finally have all the elements in place. On the 12th and 13th of November I will attempt to ride 500km in 24 hours. More details will be released soon.
If you or your company would like to find out how to support the BSAFE program or arrange a cycling safety event or program at your school visit www.bsafe.vg or contact Chris Ghiorse at 542-1981 or chris@bsafe.vg
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