The Joys of Summer Bike Camp

The school day begins early and depending on how a child arrives to school the start of the day is served with fresh air and energy raising pedaling. Students can be seen bicycling to school with parents or alone or possibly riding with others– along with a bike bus. A bike bus is a sticky idea, an intervention supporting active transportation by bike. Other ways students can gain transportation bicycling skills is attending bike camp. Bike camp is a summer camp offered through Decatur Parks and Recreation since 2016 where elementary to high school young people gain knowledge of the “rules of the road” and develop stronger bike handling skills to ride on different terrain and environments. Rules of the road are the following:

• Ride on the right side of the road in the direction of travel
• Ride is a way that keeps you visible and that is predictable
• Be visible using lights, lane position, hand signals
• Ride is a straight line

These are a few of the basic principles proven by data to be smart strategies when riding on roadways and trails. It is key for non-motorized and motorized vehicle drivers alike to have the same expectations for where and how a person riding a bicycle will ride, where they have both the right and access to be, and how to maneuver past one another at proper speeds and distances. Wally shares what safety means to them, “[I] don’t have to worry about getting hit by cars.” Wally went on to express even when feel like they are visible, motor vehicle drivers are not making the conditions feel like a shared space and behave in a way that prevents crossing the road. According to Geogia law [40-1(14), 40-6-29(a)], all vehicles including bicycles have full rights to the road and motor vehicles are to provide a 3-feet buffer to bicyclist when passing them riding [40-294(g)]. Not everyone is most interested in biking for “practical” reasons. Lucas said that he likes riding as a “fun sport” or “fun activity”. And no matter how one rides, the bike handling skills and rules of the road taught in a hands-on manner, creates foundational understanding where one will have necessary tools to ride for life.

                  During summer bike camp, the practice of bike handling skills in both simulated and real life, on the road or trail is a focus to our camp day. The skills range in difficulty from easy to more challenging, riding is a straight line, and riding is a straight line while looking over one’s shoulder to look for faster moving vehicles is an important skill. It is easy to also turn one’s bicycle left when looking over the left shoulder, gaining hand strength and bodily movement to roll straight without looking is a practice. We learn and practice other skills like quick stop and rock doge which are emergency skills everyone needs. Riding a bicycle is a life skill– a skill that is useful across one’s life space for multiple reasons, including, supporting mental health and wellbeing, physical exercise and wellness, social connection and belongingness, and economic benefits to self and local small businesses. For new riders like Sydney who learned to ride during the Beginner Bike Camp and after camp goes out riding with her parents for fun.

                  The goal of camp is for each child to optimize their hours of fun in the saddle, the belief centers on the idea that more one rides, the more likely the person will fall in love with not only riding a bicycle but with everything that is connected to being on a bicycle. Once camper, Stephen, said he came to came to learn “how a group of cyclists stay safe while riding on the road with cars.” Bike camp fosters a deeper confidence in one’s body and self to achieve a huge learning goal such as biking from one’s chose destination to another. It builds physical and mental strength and stamina. It builds one’s connection to their environment including to people and places in their neighborhood or in proximity to chosen life centers.  At the end of bike camp, Stephen reported, [he felt] safer riding; I have a lower chance to get ran over… understand how cars are moving and feel more visible.”

The young people riders are acting by riding in and out of camp, learning and practicing the information shared, and these budding everyday riders are also thinking about safety to ease travel by biking. Knowing that riding a bicycle is complex, Sydney, the newest rider named “sidewalks” as her choice of getting around with ease. Iulia shared, that she would redesign the community to be more” inclusive so that it is easier for people living with a disability” [for convenient travel]. Iulia wants “cars and buses to have more awareness to people riding”. Iulia emphasized that having awareness would increase bikeability and make roadway conditions such that young people can bike without an adult. Lucas and Stephen shared biking in other cultural contexts. Many young people have a broad understanding of bicycling for transportation and fun, the different types of infrastructure, and the flexibility it creates for them to choose their own adventure. Lucas shared that his dream infrastructure would be separated and elevated bicycle highways mirroring the interstate highways. Lucas believes this design would make biking a viable option and “people can truly go from any place in Atlanta they want.”

Bike camp offers other benefits, such as social connection. For campers, many of the friendships extend from the classroom to camp and beyond. Campers also share what we do in camp with their friends, inviting them to join the community we form together. Iulia shares first that she comes to camp to see “friends” and the coaches.  Iulia also shared that bike camp has helped her to “be a better biker and become more aware” of traffic rules and how motor vehicles travel as demonstrated using hand signals and looking over her shoulder to maneuver along her chosen route. Wally shared the sense of independence that is created by having their own transportation. Youth riders communicated that curiosity and adventure is why they ride. Each rider either named “adventure”, shared an adventure done with their family, and an unintended adventure. They identified better signage and wayfinding so don’t need to rely on digital devices for a map, more trail or street maintenance as it relates to bicycle travel, moderated slower-moving motor vehicle, and separated infrastructure to create more meaningful experiences.

The City of Decatur continues building towards a more bikeable community through education. Bike Camps are supported by Rashawn Jackson, Center Supervisor and Gael Doyle, Marketing and Communication with Decatur Parks & Recreation. Gael Doyle shared about the effort of Parks and Recreation to support bicycling in the city, “We’ve made great progress this year in helping people feel safer and more connected when biking around Decatur. It’s been inspiring to see how education and community partnerships are building a stronger culture of active transportation. Bringing the League of American Bicyclists’ LCI Certification Seminar to Decatur was a big step forward for our community. The group we certified has already led bike education classes and safety trainings across the city, helping riders of all ages gain confidence on the road. Biking brings people together, it is transportation, recreation, and community all in one. We’re excited to keep that momentum going toward a safer, more bike-friendly Decatur for everyone.” Education for cyclists is only part of safer streets. Drivers must understand how to ride with all ages and bodies riding bicycles and infrastructure design must be put in place to create the goal of a more active, health, and connected community.

Are you ready for summer? To learn more about bicycling in Decatur including signing up for camp, visit: decaturga.com/biking

written by: Nedra Deadwyler