San Francisco Schools Teach Bike-Riding in P.E.

Three elementary schools in San Francisco are part of a pilot program to teach bike riding and traffic safety to kids.

At a launch event last week, students were given bikes, helmets, and locks—donated by the local Rotary Club chapter—as well as training on how to use them. Going forward, the physical education curriculum will include riding lessons as well as safety instructions.

San Francisco already provides bike education for middle and high school, the Examiner notes—but for many younger students with limited access to safe infrastructure, their next P.E. class could be their first time riding a bike.

If all goes to plan, the program will expand throughout the San Francisco Unified School District in time for the 2019-20 schoolyear. It is jointly run by the district's Physical Education Department and Sustainability Office, with support from the city's Municipal Transportation Agency.