Ride the Road
Building Independence and Skills for Life
Ride the Road levels-up safe cycling skills and confidence so students can experience the benefits of biking for transportation.
The course, targeted to Grades 6 and 7, incorporates hands-on activities to build cycling and pedestrian confidence, regardless of students’ incoming skill levels. Trained instructors lead lessons to demystify bike mechanics, practice bike handling skills, and solidify rules of the road, all of which culminate in a supportive ride through the school’s neighbourhood.
Interested in having a Ride the Road program at your school?
What to Expect
HUB Instructors are Bike Right certified to ensure the quality of all in-person lessons. Meet our team!
Equipment: To make this course accessible to everyone, we bring helmets and a fleet of 21 bicycles - including adaptive bikes - to every program.
Evaluation: Students and school staff are asked to complete an online survey before and/or after the course to measure course impact and changes in habits within the school community.
Teacher participation: Classroom teachers work with new riders at the school using HUB's easy, step-by-step method outlined in this guide and video.
Course Units
- Unit 1: Introduction to Cycling Safety. Students are introduced to the benefits of cycling and how to ride safely by learning fundamental laws, behaviours, and communication.
- Unit 2: Basic Bike Maintenance. Hands-on activities get students up close and personal with bicycles as they learn to check air pressure, brakes, and oil chains. Tips for fitting a bike and locking it properly are also reviewed. *In the City of Vancouver, this unit is omitted.
- Unit 3: School Ground Cycling Skills. Within the comfort of the school grounds, students ride through drills that practice gearing, stopping, signalling, and improving control. Classroom teachers coach new riders through their own progression from balancing to pedalling.
- Unit 4: Rules of the Road. Students’ learning so far is put to the test with a friendly trivia competition. Emphasis is placed on clarifying rules of the road in preparation for the upcoming road ride.
Unit 5: Neighbourhood Road Ride. Small groups head out with our certified instructors to ride a pre-planned route that exposes students to common infrastructure and traffic scenarios. New riders have another chance to practice fundamentals with classroom teachers on the school grounds.
Read what these past Ride the Road recipients have to say:
“Thank you again for providing this program. It reinvigorated kids who had not cycled for a long period of time. They remembered how much they enjoyed riding.” - Grade 6/7 Teacher, Port Coquitlam
“My students really enjoyed the program. They enjoyed the practical part of riding the bicycles the best. Thank you for giving our school this amazing opportunity.” - Grade 6/7 Teacher, Vancouver
“It was a fabulous program and we will definitely be having them back if possible.” - Sarah Beairstro, Grade 6/7 Teacher, Richmond, Blended delivery
Bike Education Resources for Teachers and Families
Prepare your students or child for a successful HUB Cycling course, or bring bike education into the classroom or home any time of year.