Bicycling is a new opportunity at Mansfield Elementary School for all grade 4 students, thanks to a years-long effort by community partner Bike Mansfield. This non-profit community organization raised the funding to purchase bicycles and training support materials. As a result, every grade 4 student was given access to a two-wheel bicycle and safety instruction in Physical Education (PE) class during “Bike Week” May 29-31 and June 3. Volunteers from Bike Mansfield were on hand with the Physical Education staff to work with students every day.
Bike Mansfield community volunteers raised more than $22,500 through grants and donations, including a grant from Sustainable CT. BikeWalkCT has developed a complete training program and manual for the PE teachers which Mansfield Elementary School instructor Betsy Parker, along with Josh Tamosaitas, and Emilie Hernandez, can adapt for use here.
“Mansfield is a nationally designated Bicycle Friendly Community,” says Bike Mansfield Treasurer Lon Hultgren. “It was a high priority for us that every child in our district have the opportunity to learn to ride, and gain access to proper equipment and instruction. We had more than a dozen donors give more than $500 each to help bring this project to a reality, plus Eastern Highlands Health District and the Board of Education supported this initiative. It’s been a long journey, but it’s Bike Week now—we did it! This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to prioritize sustainable mobility and safety for its younger generation. We are excited to see this program come to life and are optimistic about the long-lasting impact it will have on our students.”
The program includes extensive equipment, starting with 22 youth-sized 20-, 24, and 26-inch bicycles equipped with flat bars, hand brakes, and gears. To teach students about bicycle maintenance, portable bicycle repair stands and floor-type tire pumps are provided, plus a 10×10-foot pop-up canopy, floor tarp, folding table and chairs, and a whiteboard and markers for instructional use. Supplementary items including signs, traffic cones, pavement chalk, a sandwich board, and basic repair materials like bike tubes, patches, tire levers, and rubber cement were also purchased for the program. Bike Mansfield also budgeted to purchase special three-wheeled adaptive bicycles for students with special needs. Eastern Highlands Health District assisted the project by donating 100 bike helmets which each student can keep as their own. An 8.5 x 16-foot trailer was also purchased in large part by the Mansfield Board of Education to ensure secure storage of up to 26 bikes. Volunteers constructed and installed interior bicycle stands to optimize storage in the off-season.
“Our district includes Build Partnerships among our six Core Beliefs,” says Superintendent Peter Dart. “When Bike Mansfield came to us with this idea, we knew this was something extraordinary for our students. It fits with our goal to Develop the Whole Child. Not only is bicycling a life-long activity, adopting bicycling as a reliable mode of transportation fits with our community culture. We are truly honored to work with Bike Mansfield to provide this unique experience for all of our grade 4 students every year going forward,” he adds. “We appreciate all the work our PE instructors have made to adopt this into the curriculum.”
ABOUT BIKE MANSFIELD
Bike Mansfield was incorporated as a non-profit in 2016 by a community of bicycle enthusiasts who sought to make Mansfield safer for those who already rode and encouraging everyone else to experience the many sustainable benefits of pedal power. Thanks to the hard work of our members and supporters, in 2017 Mansfield earned the bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists!
In 2022 the designation was renewed by the League until 2026. To keep this award the town needs to adopt a Bicycle master Plan and continue to improve/add to its bicycle infrastructure. Bike Mansfield will be working with the town on these and other bicycle improvements. More information at bikemansfield.org
