May 12, 2009

Pedal Power rules this week at School District No. 23

KELOWNA, BC: Did you know that bicycling at a moderate pace uses between 350 and 600 calories per hour, provides a great fresh air cardiovascular workout, and is one of the most cost effective forms of transportation?  Now that you know, join the thousands of students and staff members in our District who will be relying on pedal power during the 4th annual Bike to Work Week and 2nd annual Bike to School Week from May 11-15. 

This year, the District will have its strongest turnout in event history with student teams from 23 schools and adults teams from 12 work sites/schools registered.  In 2008, some schools such as Dorothea Walker achieved more than 90% student participation.

Along with a friendly competition among schools and work sites, participants will also have a chance to win new bicycles, enjoy a free mini-tune-up at the celebration stations, and meet other cyclists at the wrap-up event on May 15.  The school and work sites with the highest percentage turnouts will be acknowledged in the District enewsletter (http://enews.sd23.bc.ca).

During this week, Traffic Safety Officer Dave Gibson will be continuing bike rodeos to educate students on safe bike techniques and the rules of the road.  On May 13, at Rose Valley Elementary, and on May 14 at Ellison Elementary, Gibson will be joined by Grant Rice and Don Knox, Directors of the Kelowna and Area Cycling Coalition.  Reg Lawrence, a retired RCMP officer with years of experience organizing bike rodeos in Peachland, will be helping out at the Rose Valley Elementary rodeo.  Students can also have their bicycles tuned-up courtesy of Outbound Cycles and Kelowna Cycle.

“The rodeos are designed to give students the confidence and skills to cycle safely,” says Gibson.  “It’s an easy way for students to incorporate fitness into their day and to help protect the environment at the same time.”

“I’d also like to remind drivers to be especially cautious this week as we will have many more cyclists on the road and riding into busy school sites.  Each elementary school has a trained student crossing guards to help the flow of cars and cycles.”

For more information on Bike to School/Work Week, please visit www.i-go.ca

Approved by the Superintendent on May 12, 2009

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For comments, please contact:

Dave Gibson, Traffic Safety Officer, (250) 470-3283

Mike Roberts, Superintendent of Schools (250) 860-8888

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.