SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Shredders, a non-profit that promotes youth cycling and outdoor activities in Saratoga Springs, built and donated 30 bikes to the city’s school district this week as part of a new Bikes in Schools program.
The bikes, along with helmets, are for use in grades 2-5. Financial support for the donation was provided by Saratoga County Supervisors Tara Gaston and Matthew Veitch.
The Bikes in Schools program is designed to enhance the physical education curriculum by integrating cycling into the daily activities of students across the district’s six elementary schools. Additional program initiatives include:
• Professional Development: The district’s physical education teachers have undergone specialized training, developed by Saratoga Shredders, to teach and manage the cycling program.
• Rotating Fleet: A fleet of bikes will rotate among the six elementary schools in the district, ensuring equitable access.
• Curriculum Integration: The program includes a curriculum that covers basic cycling skills, safety rules, and the health benefits of cycling, tailored to meet the needs of young learners.
The Bikes in Schools program will roll out this spring, with full implementation expected across all elementary schools by the end of the academic year.
“We are thrilled to partner with Saratoga Springs City School District to bring this exciting program to life,” said Anna Laloë, Executive Director of Saratoga Shredders, in a statement. “Our goal is to not only teach kids how to ride but also to instill a passion for the outdoors and physical fitness that will last a lifetime.”
The program was kicked off with a collaborative event on April 15. Saratoga Shredders and the district’s physical education staff joined forces to assemble the donated bikes.
Saratoga Shredders is nearing its fundraising goal for the next phase of the Bikes in Schools program at Maple Avenue Middle School. These programs promise to make a lasting impact on the students and the broader Saratoga Springs community by promoting physical activity and accessibility to cycling for all.
To learn more about the Bikes in Schools program, or to support the next phase of the program at Maple Avenue Middle School, visit https://saratogashredders.com/bikes-in-schools.
