Spring time in Portland’s southwest hills is a wonderful time for cycling especially if you are a sixth grader at East Sylvan Middle school and happen to be fortunate enough to be in super star teacher Merleen Redden’s Physical education class. Mrs. Redden has been a long time supporter of the BTA and our Safer Routes to School program, teaching the course herself in years past and this year with BTA instructor Dawn Riddle and myself. Dawn and I were also graced with a flood of thank you notes
and essays detailing the student’s bike safety experience. Here is a sample: “Bike safety taught me a lot! It taught me how to properly fit my helmet, how to check my bike, and how to make turn signals. I did not learn that I could make a mistake and DIE. I learned to be a predictable rider. I made sure the seat on my bike is tight, the chain works properly, the front and rear brakes work, the quick release is closed, the tires are fully pumped, and a lot more! Thank you Bike Safety you helped me be a predictable rider!”
