A grade 2 girl learning what to do at a stop sign during the bicycle safety course

On Wednesday May 26th, the grade 1 and 2 students participated in a bicycle safety course at IHMS. The course is an opportunity for students to learn road safety, hand signals, and even a bit of bicycle maintenance. It’s not intended to teach students how to ride a 2 wheeled bike. Students who can’t yet ride a bike or students unable to bring one to school still participated by walking through the course.

Most students brought their own bicycles to the bicycle safety course

Most students were eager to participate in the course and were excited at the prospect of bringing their bikes to school. After being dropped off as usual in the back lane, students wheeled their bikes across the school yard and left them in the gym.

Grade 1 and 2 bicycles in the gym

In the past, the bicycle safety course was taught by the grade 1 and 2 classroom teachers. This year, the course was taught by two employees from Manitoba Public Insurance.

Miss Bailey (left) and one of the MPI instructors (right)

The course began soon after announcements with the grade 1 class up first. The MPI instructors set up pylons on the playground and the students learned about bicycle safety checks, the importance of helmets, how to use the “Stop” hand signal, and how to use the “Turning” hand signals.

Grade 2 students learning the rules of the road

The students them had to demonstrate that they knew how to stop, straddle, shoulder check, and use proper hand signals to ride a bicycle. They also had to demonstrate an understanding of street signs.

The grade 1’s finished off the course with a short video on bicycle safety. The video was targeted to younger students and reinforced what the students learned in the playground.

Students waiting their turn to cycle through the course

After recess, the instructors repeated the course with the grade 2 students. Everyone had fun, and the students learned some important rules about bicycle safety.