For more than 25 years, Corvallis elementary students have been learning how to navigate their world on two wheels. What started as a small bike safety program for fifth graders has grown into one of the longest-running, and most comprehensive, bike education programs in the state.
None of this would have been possible without the generosity of Mid-Valley Bicycle Club and its volunteers. “It’s amazing to see what this program has become,” says longtime MVBC volunteer, Nancy Meitle.
“Biking gives kids confidence, independence, and pure joy. Now every student gets that opportunity.” – Nancy Meitle
This past school year marked a major shift for Bike Education when elementary physical education teachers led the program for the first time ever. Previously delivered by outside volunteer instructors, the program became unsustainable under that model. When asked if they’d consider taking it on, the teachers said “yes”, but under one condition: that the program would expand from exclusively fifth grade to all grades.
Each student now receives two weeks of bike instruction annually, with lessons focusing on essential skills like traffic safety, communication, and bike handling. The result? A unified curriculum, integrated across all schools, delivered by educators who know their students and their school environments best.
“There’s something in it for every child,” says Cassie Minot, Corvallis School District K-5 Bike Education Program Coordinator. “Some are learning to ride for the first time. Others are building independence. You can see their joy and confidence grow. It’s a game changer for both kids and families.”
Thanks to dedicated volunteers and an endowment with the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, not only has Mid-Valley Bicycle Club been supporting Bike Ed since the beginning, but they’ve also helped secure equipment year after year working with local business Peak Sports. When new equipment was needed this past year to make sure students at every grade level could take part, they really stepped up. Other community members helped too, like Rotary Club of Corvallis After 5 who pitched in with a grant to support new equipment. It truly has been a community effort! Whether a student needs an adaptive bike or specialized gear, MVBC and the greater community make it happen, because true bike education means making space for every child to ride, learn, and belong.
