Youth Programs Update: COVID safe B.A.S.H.es
Hi BBP Family!
BBP’s Youth Programs have been continuing creatively and quietly through this pandemic, and I wanted to take a minute to share some of what we’ve been up to!
In July, we ran a trial “COVID-safe” mini outdoor Kids B.A.S.H., and it felt so good that we ran three more mini Kids B.A.S.H. sessions in August!
Usually, our Kids B.A.S.H. events are on Saturday mornings, and anywhere from 30 to 40 kids come to our shop to get their new refurbished bikes and take a safety lesson. At our largest Kids B.A.S.H. last summer, 50 kids took our safety lesson in one morning!
That scale might not be possible right now, but providing the BBP experience and safety lesson to a few kids at a time sure is.
Instead of inviting all 30 kids registered to receive bikes in August to our shop at once, we scheduled them in three groups, on three separate days, based on age and riding ability. Thursday a few of the new lil’ riders had just graduated from their strider bikes to their first pedal bikes, and they got to learn about using their power foot to start pedaling! Friday kids previously riding coaster brake bikes practiced using their hand brakes (both at once!) to stop at our safety course stop sign before looking both ways and signalling. And Saturday a handful of kids and teens learned when to use their low, lazy gears and their high, hard gears for the first time!
These mini giveaways took place completely outside in a parking lot down the street from BBP, where we set up our stations—helmet fit, bike fit, lock setting, and safety lesson—and safety courses. All participants—volunteers, kids, and parents—wore masks, and kids proceeded to each station one family unit at a time. Each child had their own time for the safety lesson, and parents were able to stand around the edges of the parking lot, listening to the safety talk, too.
The need for bicycles in our community has only grown during this pandemic, and BBP hasn’t stopped donating bicycles to kids in the community, by drop-off and low-contact pickup. Most of these kids have gotten a little safety talk along with their helmet, lights, and lock, but nothing beats getting to practice new skills in a safety course to make riding more safe AND fun! I’m grateful to our volunteer team who helped make these new, mini events possible—fixing bikes, setting up, and even teaching their own safety lesson (go Becky!).
Just like all of us, BBP has been learning and adapting every week this summer as we assess and reassess what we’re capable of pulling off creatively during this pandemic. I’m excited to keep learning with you all!
With pedal-powered love,
Christa
