Winterville hosting bicycle education programs

Free classes to teach bicycle riding and improve bike-riding skills are being offered by the Town of Winterville starting Saturday.

The sessions are part of the Safe Routes to School program which is funded through the N.C. Department of Transportation.

Children can learn how to balance bikes and other skills during the “Learn to Ride” class scheduled for 8:30-9:45 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Families can register at wintervillenc.com/safe-routes-to-school-grant.

Balance bikes and helmets will be available to any child who needs one.

Older children who have the basics down but are ready to improve their skills and learn basic road safety can participate in a “Ready to Ride!” class being held 9 a.m. until noon Saturday and Sunday.

Participants, who can register at the same address, will need to bring their own bike.

All classes will be hosted at the traffic garden at Hillcrest Park in Winterville. All are free and open to anyone from the area.

The beginning of school is being marked with a community bicycle rodeo from 9 a.m. until noon Aug. 17 at Winterville Baptist Church.

The rodeo will give kids and their parents a chance to practice and learn skills, get their bikes checked, play bike games and receive safety-focused giveaways, said Safe Routes to School coordinator Katherine Dale.

“It’s open to everyone — join us at any point during the morning,” Dale said.

Helmets will be provided to any participant who needs one, and limited bikes will be available to borrow.

To learn more about Winterville’s Safe Routes to School program, contact Dale at kat.dale@wintervillenc.com or visit the town’s Safe Routes to School Grant page at the above website.