Education for Kids
Local Motion has many incredible programs to introduce children to the joys of walking and biking, and teach them how to walk and bike safely. From our Bike Smart/Walk Smart program, which provides a 20' trailer packed with bikes, helmets, and training materials to schools and organizations for 1-2 weeks, to Safe Routes to School, which gives children the encouragement and tools they need to choose to walk and bike to school, to our Learn to Ride classes, which give parents and kids a fun, stress-free place to learn how to master life on two wheels--we've got something for everyone.
Resources for Program Enrichment
We know what we’re doing when it comes to encouraging kids to walk and bike more! We’ve got great materials for teachers and families to encourage skill development, safe behavior through games and fun activities.
COVID Resources
Getting Students to School During COVID: The Basics
Information on planning and running Walking School Buses/Bike Trains and Remote Drop Off with a focus on safety and effectiveness during COVID.
Resources for Program Enrichment
This is a set of resources for caregivers and teachers to help kids continue to be physically active while at home.
Remote Bike/Walk Community Building:
- Full Walk/Bike School Spirit Activity Write Up
- Publisher Image Template for Walk/Bike Map Letters
- Participant Introductory E-mail
- Participant Instruction E-mail
- Combined Letter
Scavenger Hunts:
- Bike Smart BIKING (3rd-5th version) Scavenger Hunt
- Bike Smart BIKING (k-2 version) Scavenger Hunt
- Bike Smart WALKING Scavenger Hunt
- Bike Smart WALKING OR BIKING WITH SENSES Scavenger Hunt
Activity Log:
Biking Games:
- Dutch Biking Games
- More coming soon!
Materials for Caregivers
- Parent’s Guide to Safe Bicycling
- How to use a balance bike to teach a child how to ride on two wheels
Additional Resources
We have an entire page of resources for teachers using Safe Routes to School and/or Bike Smart/Walk Smart - here is a list of materials teachers can use to enrich and inform their teaching.
Learn to Ride
Learn to Ride is just what it sounds like! We'll be teaching your kid(s) how to ride a bike using the "balance bike" method. For more information about how the balance bike method works, and how to teach your own children how to ride using this method, go to our Balance Bike page.
For Parents | For Summer Camps
For Parents
Local Motion uses the "balance bike" method to help kids lose their training wheels and learn to ride in just a few hours. The Balance Bike method allows children to practice balancing before combining it with pedaling. For many children, breaking up the tasks helps them learn how to ride their bicycles more quickly and with less stress.
Upcoming Event:
2022 LTR Class Schedule is Forthcoming
Join Local Motion for our annual kids’ Learn to Ride class at Leddy Park. We know that the process of teaching children to ride a bike can be challenging for both kids and parents.
Let us do the teaching! We’ll use the “balance method” with pedal-less bikes, allowing kids to get a feel for the balance they’ll need - without any fear of falling over. The learning process is different for everyone, so we can’t make any guarantees - but we expect most kids to come away from our Learn to Ride class able to confidently ride on two wheels. This class will be fun and stress-free for you and your kids.
We will supply the balance bikes, but you must bring a pedaled bicycle and helmet for your child. Please be sure that the pedaled bicycle is in good working condition (check that the tires stay inflated, the pedals spin, the chain moves freely and the brakes work), and fits your child well.
We will also have fun things for your kids who already know how to ride! Helmet decorating supplies, games, and more!
The class is free for Local Motion members and their children. For non-members, the cost is $20 per family if you pre-register, and $40 per family on the day of the event.
Are you interested in having your child attend a Learn to Ride Class in Burlington? We will have sign-ups for Learn to Ride soon. If you are interested in being notified when we schedule our Burlington classes, go here: Learn To Ride Interest Form.
For more information about how the balance bike method works, and how to teach your own children how to ride using this method, go to our Balance Bike page.
Questions? [email protected]
For Summer Camps
We offer a Learn to Ride trailer (and curriculum training for instructors) for organizations to offer Learn to Ride classes in their community, as well as running two Learn to Ride classes in the Burlington area in the late spring and early summer.
Are you an organization? Request the Learn to Ride Trailer here: Learn to Ride Trailer Request Form Would you like to learn more about our Learn to Ride Trailer? Learn more here: Request the Learn to Ride Trailer