Living On Two Wheels Gifts Bikes
More stories from Jacob Robinson
Media by Michael Lacavich
Giavanna Garza, kindergartner, practices riding a bike at Ballwin Elementary after the school received bikes from Living On Two Wheels. “Only if I can go fast, I can ride a bike without training wheels,” Garza said.
Repeatedly falling and getting back up, Jordan Shelton, Language Arts teacher, learned how to ride a bike before she was 10. But she wouldn’t stop trying because she thought everyone should at least try to learn.
“Making sure every kid has a bike and a way to get outside and be active is a right of passage for childhood,” Shelton said.
Living On Two Wheels, founded by Chris and René Creed, is a state non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging children to learn how to bike by giving bikes to elementary schools.
“Most of us remember riding bikes as a kid only to return home when the sun sets,” Sarah Tochtrop, program director, said. “Kids today are not experiencing this foundational piece in growing up.”
Tochtrop wants to help change that and direct kids away from their screens, something she said they don’t do enough of that would help build family bonds.
“Bringing bicycle riding awareness, education and opportunity closer to home and accessible to all people will help change the world,” Tochtrop said.
Ballwin Elementary is the 19th school in the state to receive bikes from the program. It costs $6,000 for the program to be put into the schools, but they can get more fundraising for more equipment. Each school gets 24 Strider balance bikes and one teacher bike. The schools are also given 25 pedal conversion kits for these bikes for when these students learn how to balance.
Michael Lacavitch, Ballwin Elementary P.E. teacher, said he plans to start using the bikes with his students inside in a more confined area before going outside with them more in the springtime.
“I wish this was an opportunity years ago,” Lacavitch said, “Because it works on the whole body and allows the kids to learn balance first. Then add the pedals.”
Funding for the program comes from charity events like a charity golf tournament for “More Butts on Bikes” and from the Amazon Smiles Program, which allows any Amazon Prime member to pick a non-profit organization to receive a percentage of their purchases.
Additional reporting by Ash Hollingsworth, Aubrey Lacavich and Riley Merrifield.
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Jacob Robinson, senior, is a Co-Sports Editor for the Marquette Messenger. This will be his second year on staff. He enjoys spending his free time taking...