After years of planning and preparation, NWTA’s youth bike skills program finally launched on Friday, March 18th, at Gateway Green. In partnership with Portland Parks and Recreation and Project^ a group of local area youth met with BICP Certified Instructors Elaine and Roo and NWTA volunteers Allie and Nancy at the Fred Meyer parking lot for introductions and bike/helmet fittings with our loaner program generously provided by Trek Bikes.
After being properly outfitted and a safety talk, the students started with practice drills in the parking lot. Once mastered, they made their way across the max platform, down the 205 multi-use path to Gateway Green. At Gateway Green, they got to practice the skills they learned by venturing out onto the singletrack trails through the trees. Several laps later, everyone was all smiling. A success! From learning to start and stop, proper braking, and bike handling, students could navigate the trails with newfound skills.
Finally, we concluded with a return ride back up to the max station and congregated again at Fred Meyer for snacks and the day’s goodbyes.
Our next clinic will be at Newell Creek Nature Park on Saturday, April 2nd. This is part of Metro’s Grand Opening celebration. Details about the event and a link to pre-register for the 10 am clinic can be found HERE.
Additional skills clinic dates will be announced soon.
A program like this could not come to life without the support of our community. NWTA would like to thank all of our partners and sponsors for supporting our efforts. Especially Project^, Portland Parks and Recreation, Elaine B. Bikes, Trek Bicycles, REI, Fred Meyer – Gateway & Trimet.
Want to know more? Interested in getting involved? Email [email protected]