Uintah Middle School announced on Monday that they have received nearly 40 new specialized bikes and helmets thanks to a special program. UMS physical education teacher Christine Whetton secured the funds through a Riding for Focus grant aimed at using cycling as a tool to get kids moving, help increase motivation and focus, and improve student well-being. Research backing the program shares that 10 to 20 percent of students do not actually know how to ride a bike before the program but by the end, students who didn’t know how to ride feel confident on a bike. “The best part of teaching kids how to safely ride a bike is seeing every one of them succeed,” shares Whetton. “Even the ones who already know how to ride learn more advanced skills that enhance their experience while riding…In our P.E. class,” continues Whetton, “students experience the pure joy and freedom that riding a bike can offer and can turn that joy into a lifelong love for riding a bike. This gift of bikes to our school means a lot to my students and they will enjoy them for years to come.” The R4F grant provides schools with bikes, helmets, teacher training, and curriculum.
