project leader
Sylvia C
location
2086 Young Ave
(Cooper-Young)
latest update rss
Bicycle Ambassadors: A success!!

the project

Revolutions Bicycle Cooperative works to get more people of all ages on bicycles.  We want to help Peabody Elementary school children, and their families, use bicycles for transportation to school.  We believe that riding bicycles rather than riding in cars to school will lead to healthier, more active children.

Revolutions will partner with our neighborhood school, Peabody Elementary, to train children as Bicycle Ambassadors. In our pilot year, sixteen Bicycle Ambassadors will be selected to:

  • receive recycled bicycles that have been refurbished by Revolutions, plus new helmets and sturdy bicycle locks.
  • complete a series of safety workshops and street riding skill training (conducted by Revolutions).
  • begin bicycling to school.

The Ambassadors will:

  • come from the 4th and 5th grades.
  • be a 50/50 mix of boys and girls.
  • be selected, in consultation with the school principal and teachers.

After training, the Ambassadors will work with Revolutions to help develop, promote and assist in leading:

  • after-school group bicycle rides with their classmates, during the second semester.
  • a neighborhood Bike Rodeo, in the spring.
  • Bicycle “Trains” to School during Bike Month (May).

In order for more children to ride to school, Peabody Elementary needs better and sturdier bicycle racks:

  • In September, Revolutions performed a bicycle parking assessment, and made recommendations to Peabody Elementary Principal Nelson.
  • Those recommendations will be used to obtain permission from the school district to install and locate appropriate additional racks, which will be furnished by Revolutions as part of the Bicycle Ambassadors project.

the steps

September 2015

  • Revolutions Completed Bicycle Parking Assessment

1st Semester, 2015

  • Revolutions volunteers refurbishing 16 bicycles for use by Bicycle Ambassadors

November 4 – December 20

  • ioby campaign

January/February 2016

  • Safety Workshops and Bicycle Rodeo for Bicycle Ambassadors
  • New Bicycle racks purchased and installed at Peabody Elementary
  • Ambassadors Celebration Day: Revolutions hosts a community group ride to celebrate the Ambassadors’ completion of the safety training program

February-April 2016

  • Twice monthly club meeting for Bicycle Ambassadors to practice riding in a group setting, after school

April 2016

  • Bicycle Ambassadors and Revolutions co-host a community-wide Bike Rodeo

May 2016

  • Bicycle Ambassadors and Revolutions to coordinate and lead Bike Trains to school (as a Bike Month activity) to encourage others to try riding to school.
  • Complete an end of year, 2-day tally, of how students arrived at school (to evaluate bicycle education effectiveness)

why we're doing it

“It has been demonstrated that physical activity in the day of a child contributes to better overall health1,2, further activity3, effective learning, and the ability to stay on task4. Walking and bicycling are good for children, yet surveys show that active transportation has become less prevalent. With the decline of bicycling and walking to school in the last few decades, many students of this generation are missing the opportunity to explore the world through diverse means. For the first time in human history, this generation may live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents.”

Students who are comfortable and adept at bicycling to school could also perform well in the Shelby County Schools’ Destination 2025 (The 80-90-100 plan: http://www.scsk12.org/uf/webadmin/foundation/2025/). The Revolutions Bicycle Ambassadors focuses on this year’s 4th and 5th graders (the classes of 2024 and 2023, respectively). The students who work to be Bicycle Ambassadors will arrive at school ready to learn thanks to their active ride to school. Arriving ready to learn results in good performance in school, at the elementary level. A solid foundation in elementary school will help children continue performing strongly throughout school. And that will allow them to “be on track to learn in a post-secondary classroom or enter the workforce straight out of high school…earn their high school diploma…(and be) college- or career-ready graduate[s] in the class of 2025 [who] will enroll in a post-secondary opportunity”

Quote in first paragraph taken from the Safe Routes to School – Bicycle Pedestrian Curricula Guide, http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/sites/default/files/pdf/Curr_Guide_2011_lo.pdf : And the studies cited are:
1 Bungum, t. l., and M. l. Vincent. “Determinants of Physical activity among female athletes.” American Journal of Preventive Med. no. 13 (1997):115–122.
2  Butcher, J. “Socialization of adolescent Girls into Physical activity.” adolescence no. 18 (1983):753–766.
3  Sirard JR, Riner Wf, McIver Kl and Pate RR. “Physical activity and active Commuting to Elementary School.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, no. 37(2005): 2062–2069.
4  Mahar M, Murphy SK, Rowe Da, Golden J, Shields at, Raedke tD. “Effects of a Classroom-Based Program on Physical activity and on-task Behavior.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, no. 38 (2006):2086-2094.
 

budget

DISBURSEMENT BUDGET (as of 2.4.16):



RAISED = $3,945.00
ioby Platform Fee  $35.00
 Payment Processing Fee (3%) $113.88
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $3,796.12

Programing for Bicycle Ambassadors
Safety Workshops
Bike Rodeo
Club Group rides
Planning Time
Total: $2,309

Bike Parts and Accessories For 16 Bikes
Bicycle Overhauls
Replacement parts for bikes
Helmets
Locks- U-Lock w/ Flex Cable
Pump for use at school (1)
Total: $987.13

Additional Programming for the Community
Community Group Ride
Spring Bike Rodeo
Bike Trains to School
Additional Planning Time
Total: $500

 

REVISED BUDGET:





Programing for Bicycle Ambassadors    
  Safety Workshops  
  Bike Rodeo  
  Club Group rides  
  Planning Time  
  Total: $2,600
     
Bike Parts and Accessories For 16 Bikes  
  Bicycle Overhauls  
  Replacement parts $/bike  
  Helmets  
  Locks- U-Lock w/ Flex Cable  
  Pump for use at school (1)  
  Total: $3,412
     
Additional Programming for the Community    
  Community Group Ride  
  Spring Bike Rodeo  
  Bike Trains to School  
  Additional Planning Time  
  Total: $1,850
Bicycle Ambassadors Program Total: $7,862


SUBTOTAL = $7,862
ioby Platform Fee $35
Payment Processing Fee of 3%  $236
TOTAL TO RAISE = $8,133

 

ORIGINAL BUDGET:





Programing for Bicycle Ambassadors      
  Safety Workshops    
  Bike Rodeo    
  Club Group rides    
  Planning Time    
  Total: $2,600  
       
Bike Parts and Accessories For 16 Bikes    
  Bicycle Overhauls    
  Replacement parts $/bike    
  Helmets    
  Locks- U-Lock w/ Flex Cable    
  Pump for use at school (1)    
  Total: $3,412  
       
Additional Programming for the Community      
  Community Group Ride    
  Spring Bike Rodeo    
  Bike Trains to School    
  Additional Planning Time    
  Total: $1,850  
       
SCS Vendor/Volunteer Fingerprinting and Background Checks, must be renewed yearly, $45/volunteer with 10 volunteers    
  Total: $450  
Bike Racks and Accessories      
  18 Staples for an additional 36 parking spots (would bring spots up to code of 1 bicycle spot per 8 people in the building)    
  One Outdoor Repair Station, SportWorks or Saris    
  Bike rack installation and shelter to cover parking     
  Total: $5,900  
       
  Bicycle Ambassadors Program Total: $14,212.00

 



SUBTOTAL = $14,212
ioby Platform Fee $35
Payment Processing Fee of 3%  $426
TOTAL TO RAISE = $14,673

 

updates

Bicycle Ambassadors: A success!!

On May 12, we completed the first-ever Revolutions Bicycle Cooperative Bicycle Ambassadors program. For the duration of the semester, we worked with children in the 3rd through 5th grades, at Peabody Elementary school. We aimed to teach the Bicycle Ambassadors how to use a bicycle for active transportation to their school. And we hoped that they would encourage others to try bicycle riding, too.

At the beginning of the semester, two of our Bicycle Ambassadors could not even ride a bicycle. And, three of our adult volunteers had Kindergartners and a 1st grader who also couldn’t ride. All five of these children are now riding like pros!

During our final club meeting, we celebrated all of the Bicycle Ambassadors' hard work with a Celebration Ride. We were joined by Peabody teachers and staff, as well as volunteers, parents and funders. We received some really nice press coverage from Action News 5 and the Shelby County School District, as well as two pictures in the local section of the Commercial Appeal.

 

o   Shelby County Schools Instagram video of Bicycle Ambassadors: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFWddMxssCR/

o   Action News 5: Covered Bicycle Ambassadors Celebration Ride (on broadcasts at 4 and 10). See the video clip here:  http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/31963750/young-bicycle-ambassadors-hit-the-streets

 

During our program, the Bicycle Ambassadors learned how to:

  • Properly wear a helmet. 
  • Safety check their bicycles, every time they ride. 
  • Approach an intersection, with proper hand signals
  • Understand traffic signs
  • Navigate the neighborhood streets, as well as larger roads that have bike lanes. 
  • Make the ever-tricky left-hand turns, using the intersection (with a traffic signal!) at Cooper and Young to practice.
  • Use a sturdy bike lock

 

We’re so grateful for all the volunteers and supporters who made this pilot program possible. And we can’t wait to do it, again, next year!

 

 

Program Completion Celebration Ride!

Last Thursday was our penultimate Bicycle Ambassadors’ club meeting. We spent most of our time learning how to lock up our bicycles to the school bike rack using strong and sturdy bike locks. As a part of our last club meeting, the Bicycle Ambassadors will receive a lock to keep, along with a bicycle and the Nutcase helmet, that we previously gave them.

After practicing locking up our bikes and talking about traffic signs, we headed out for a ride. Two of our Ambassadors live on South Parkway. There was quite a bit of traffic, in Cooper-Young, because we were riding on Cinco de Mayo! But we navigated carefully and quickly got ourselves south of the business district. We were pleased to find no train blocking the train tracks across Cooper. And though we did see one passing, while we were south of the tracks on Spottswood it was gone by the time we needed to re-cross the tracks. There is a pretty little park just East of East Parkway that we wanted to ride to. But we ran out of time, so we’ll save that one for another day.

Our last club meeting will be this Thursday, May 12. Revolutions Bicycle Cooperative and the Bicycle Ambassadors would like to invite all funders to come and ride with us, on that day! We will gather in Peabody Elementary’s East parking lot at 3:15 and hope to be ready to ride by 3:30. If you have a bike, please bring it and plan to ride with us!! The Ambassadors want to show what they’ve learned. We have a limited number of bicycles available to rent for $5. If you would like one of these, please let Sylvia know by Wednesday afternoon (info@revolutionsmemphis.com)

Bicycle Ambassadors Update

We have completed six of our nine Bicycle Ambassadors afterschool club meetings. All the Ambassadors can now ride a bicycle without training wheels. And almost all have started learning street riding skills like how to use a bike lane and how to turn left off of a road with a light.

It’s hard to show you how much fun we’re having with the Bicycle Ambassadors. The school district doesn’t allow us to take pictures of the children, during our club meetings! But I think the fact that seven or eight adults are showing up every week to help out says this program is one not to miss.

The Ambassadors are already encouraging other children to ride. Three of our volunteers bring their kindergartners and first grader to the club meetings. Those kids were so inspired, they learned to ride in just a couple of sessions. One had previously refused to even try riding his own bike. But once he saw the big kids, he got very motivated!

Last week, while we were warming up to trying out the bike lanes, we took a ride along neighborhood streets around the school. On the way, I overheard one Bicycle Ambassador comment to his friend, “I didn’t know we were leaving Cooper-Young, today. I mean, we’re still in Midtown, but we’re not in Cooper-Young.” (We were a mere four blocks from the school. And the Cooper-Young neighborhood actually extends at least another five blocks. But I’m sure it felt like we were covering a lot of ground, rolling along as we were). And in the end, they rode a total of three miles!

On Saturday, April 23 Revolutions Bicycle Cooperative co-hosted a Bicycle Rodeo with the Bicycle Ambassadors. The Ambassadors did a great job teaching others what they’ve learned. And they were very excited when their Principal showed up to ride. The did not let her best them in things like the Slow Bike Race and other bicycle games.

Thanks to all of you who donated to this community project. We are very pleased that this program is not just about getting kids on bicycles. We are connecting neighbors and giving these kids a new freedom to move about our city!

Read about our project on ioby's blog!

We've Raised Almost Half of Our Goal!

It's 2016 and we're getting very close to the launch of the first ever Bicycle Ambassadors program. We are so pleased that the community helped us raised almost half of our goal! In order to be ready to work with the children at Peabody Elementary, starting in February, we began refurbishing kids' bicycles, this week. 

On Monday, we pulled out lots of 20" bikes and a couple of 24". One was brand new and never ridden, so it just needed a safety check and some air in the tires. One volunteer was an 11 year old member of the Midtown Bike Girls. She was pleased to fix up bicycles that will get other kids riding.

So, please pass the word about our campaign. And if you'd like to help fix up bikes, you can do so with us on Monday and Thursday nights, from 6:30 to 9:00, at Revolutions. You must be a Revolutions member to use our tools. But you can join when you arrive. Contact Sylvia (info@revolutionsmemphis.com) for more information.

It's Giving Tuesday!

Our campaign just went over $2,000! We are well on our way to funding a bicycle program at Peabody Elementary!

The last several days have been rainy and dreary. We didn't go out of the house much, on the soggy days of the Thanksgiving weekend. Now that we're back to school, though, we have no choice but to head out the door at 8:00 a.m. The kids, no all of us, have been slow to get back into the routine. But rolling out on our bicycles does a lot to wake us up. We warm up by pumping the pedals, and by the time we reach Ms. Ella, the crossing guard, we're mostly back to our cheerful singing selves!

Won't you help Revolutions get more kids out on bikes? It's a good way to start the school day, even when it's raining!!

Off to a great start!

A couple of weeks ago, Revolutions met with Principal Nelson and SCS Risk Management to talk about possible locations for new bike racks. They were excited to consider installing racks right in front of the school! And we talked about a good way to get from those racks to the street, so that riding home would be easy. 

Next, we met with City of Memphis Bike/Ped Coordinator Kyle Wagenschutz, to ask about the possiblity of a bike lane on Young. It might be tricky, because of the car pick-up/drop-off area, but he was willing to dream up some possiblities. 

Everyone is working together to make bicycling and walking to school easier and safer!

And, our campaign is approaching our first $1,000 in donations. We're off to a great start!

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • isabelle welch
  • Mimsy Conaway
  • Ellen Klyce
  • Andy B
  • Anonymous
  • Carlotta H.
  • Ann K.
  • Laretha Randolph
  • Randall Mullins & Sharon Pavelda
  • Anonymous
  • K2M
  • Jon Korneliussen
  • Billy and Leanne Marcy, Carroll and Olivia Lewis, Evelyn and Larry McDonald
  • Anonymous
  • S Carlson
  • Emily Holmes
  • James Drummond
  • Billy and Leslie McDonald
  • Mary and Reb Haizlip
  • Anonymous
  • Carmen & Ron Anderson
  • Anonymous
  • Sylvia & Teddy Crum
  • Cindy & Bill Tupis
  • First Congo Arts + Design Ministry
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Kerry & Sutton Mora Hayes
  • Anonymous
  • Cooper Young Community Association
  • NANCY B.
  • J. Dylan Sandifer
  • Gillian Steinhauer
  • Ellen R.
  • Race for Grace Runner
  • Race for Grace Runner
  • Race for Grace Runner
  • diego v.
  • Anonymous
  • Eian B.
  • nice old l.
  • Chris & Lurene Kelley
  • Mac Bruce