
An intrepid PAL trailer-puller takes our message to the people!
An intrepid PAL trailer-puller takes our message to the people!
If you missed Escuela Key (Key School)’s Fall Fiesta in October, you’re not going to like this blog post, because it was fantastic!
Hundreds of happy kids were there dancing to music, bouncing on trampolines, eating plates of food from an exceptionally international spread, and riding in the school’s second annual Bike Rodeo.
The Bike Rodeo was organized by Melissa Dalio, a bicyclist and exercise physiologist who specializes metabolic testing. She’s a mother of six, the youngest of which, Eleanor, is a second grader at Key. Melissa’s rodeo was an obstacle course on a parking lot designed to let kids have fun as well as to challenge them to learn new skills on two wheels. She also incorporated safety elements such as a crosswalk–complete with little chalk pedestrians–to practice stopping and yielding.
Melissa reckons that parents were surprised to see how much their kids liked riding bikes. Some of the kids, she said, started off a bit wobbly, but were riding comfortable within an hour.
Melissa is a supporter of universal bike education in schools, and says that “we become what we surround ourselves with.” In that spirit she would like to see her community become more healthy and fit-minded while encouraging kids to get out and pursue fitness by biking. Reminding kids to be Predictable, Alert, and Lawful, teaches them valuable lessons that they will carry on into adulthood and help keep the streets safe.
Remember, whether you’re walking, biking, or driving, it’s easy to #BEaPAL
Future PAL Volunteer Opportunities:
November 17th Block Party – Once a month, the PALs get outreachy on Arlington streets. We spread the #BEaPAL message through creative events all over the County. Join us, won’t you? All are welcome!
December 7th Pizza Party – Come out and join your PALs to plan over pizza! Every month we get together to brainstorm and scheme up future outreach ideas. These planning sessions are a great, low-commitment way to get involved for the first time. Plus free pizza. All are welcome!
Coordinator Catherine Frum with some of the members of the H-B Woodlawn Bike Club.
My trusty trailer, undaunted by unplowed paths.
Meet Josephine! To her, snow and ice = a good afternoon’s work.
Rob just being Rob!
Job well done, new PAL!
There’s no way around it, February is still winter, and winter is chock full of excuses to stay inside. But in the words of a famous Michigander (my best friend), “If the weather feels too cold, you’re just not dressed warmly enough!” Pulling the Arlington PAL bike trailer around this month has convinced me that my best friend is 100% right! Layers, wool everything, rain gear, and wellingtons are trusted companions these days. There’s a certain type of satisfaction, too, that comes from taking a break or concluding a winter ride as well–a feeling of coziness and satisfaction that just can’t be replicated in the summer! So, whether you’ve fallen into a winter funk, have a resolution you want to double down on, or are just going completely stir crazy, February is the time to get out on a bike and banish those winter blues. You can join a new friend on a ride though the Washington Area Bike Forum or get your volunteer on as a PAL Ambassador or DC Bike Ambassador. Both of these programs are powered by awesome folks like you, spreading the bike-love and having fun on the streets of DC and Arlington. To Join the DC Bike Ambassadors, click here. To Join the Arlington PAL Ambassadors click here. Or come on out and #BEaPAL with us at the Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade! Click here for details and to sign up! Use the button below to follow us on Instagram:
Santa (DC Bike Ambassador Coordinator Jon Gonzalez) looks on as his elf (PAL Ambassador Coordinator Annmarie Hansen) spreads some holiday cheer (bike information and encouragement)!
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