| November
2005 |
|
Volunteers Make Advocacy Happen Southland Hopes Take New Trails Legally Blind at 82, Bike Commuter Presses On Summer of Fun in the West Suburbs |
Summer of Fun in West Suburbs In May, 2005, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation hired its first suburban Bicycling Ambassador to do public-awareness and safety outreach work in the West Suburbs. Brian Kafel, who served the prior summer as one of five Mayor Daley’s Bicycling Ambassadors, filled the role for its inaugural four-month season, which was funded by SRAM, Whole Foods in River Forest and the Naperville Bicycle Club. By Brian KafelDo you know what’s great about being a West Suburban Bicycling Ambassador? I get to be part of a kid’s world, a world of young, intelligent girls and boys stoked to be engaged in anything that’s new and fun, fun, fun. I get to teach and encourage young bicyclists to ride safely and often while having fun. And guess what? Bikes are fun! And kids know it.
I mean really, why do you ride a bike? I love asking kids this question and they never get it wrong. Bikes are fun! Fantastically intertwined with freedom and that carefree rock ‘em-sock ‘em spirit that comes from being a kid-on-a-bike. They also know the three other reasons for riding a bike: bikes are transportation; bikes are great exercise; bikes are good for the environment. It’s empowering for children. It’s empowering for me and since you’re reading this article, well, I’ll bet it’s empowering for you too. When I work at schools and camps, I get to spend 30 minutes to an hour with a group of about 20 kids, teaching them everything from basic bicycle-handling skills and helmet-fitting, to crossing streets safely. At festivals I love playing the Bike Smarts Game. It’s played with all ages and it’s a great tool because it initiates constructive conversations. It’s free, fun and educational, and everyone wins a prize. I worked 12 events last summer and contacted more than 2,000 children and adults. What a great start to a great new program. Kids intuitively know that riding a bike is a fun and sustainable
form of transportation. I would love for them to retain this concept
into adulthood.
|
