Pedal Power

Today Room 24 got to experience pedal power. This is a programme provided by Counties Manukau Sport. The coaches bring in 30 bikes and helmets and teach the children skills for cycling. For some children it was their first time on a bike and for others with cycling experience, they learnt safety skills. 

The first thing Room 24 learnt was how to check a helmet was safe and to put it on correctly. We checked the safety label inside the helmet and knocked the outer shell to ensure it was undamaged. To correctly put your helmet on you need to make sure it sits two fingers from your eyebrows and you have one finger gap under the chin strap. We discussed how important it is to wear a helmet when cycling. 

 Next we went and choose a bike. Then we learnt our A B C D safety check.

A - Air. We firmly tested our tyres by squeezing them.

B - Brakes. We tested our handle brakes.

C - Chain. We checked that the chain was nice and oily. If we touched the chain 

      and it was rusty we would need to apply more oil or CRC.

D - Direction. We stood in front our bikes with the front wheel between our legs and 

     checked the handles were turning correctly.

After learning our A, B, C, D's we jumped on our bikes and split into two groups. The first group were the children were had not biked before or were still learning, the second group were the children who felt confident enough to go and learn new skills. 

Group One stayed under the canopy and Group Two went on the field. 

Stories from Group One (learners)

The first group worked with Mrs Fulford and one of the coaches. They slowly explored the area, some practised sitting on their bikes and scooting along with their legs, while others practised pedaling. Olivia was a great at encouraging and letting the others know that they were doing so well and celebrating their success.

Agnes was particularly nervous to start with. She was very worried about going on the bikes but Mrs Fulford told her to take it step by step. First she put on the helmet, then stood by her bike, then walked the bike around the turf until she felt ready to sit on the bike. When she felt confident she began to scoot her legs slowly moving the bike while sitting on it. By the end of the session she was racing around the turf trying to get her feet onto the pedals. Well done Agnes!

  

Syriah and Shanayah were also new to cycling. Both slowly started with the legs scooting their bikes around the turf but by the end of the session they had mastered pedalling. Mrs Fulford was so proud of their amazing attitudes. They kept falling but never once gave up. Well done girls!

 

Photos and movies from Group Two.

Group Two practised their skills of pedaling, standing, gliding, turning and stopping.  To start with the children had a bit of free time to practise then we got down to learning skills. 

  We had so much fun!