Alameda Bike Camps to Build Kids’ Confidence and Independence

Easy-Street-Cycling_LOGOBike Walk Alameda board member Bonnie Wehmann recently launched Easy Street Cycling, offering bike camps for kids ages 10-14 to gain knowledge and practice riding bikes safely, confidently and independently on the roadway.

As a parent of middle and elementary school children, Wehmann feels it is extremely important for kids in middle school to know the rules of the road, how to ride safely and how to securely lock their bikes.  “There is a lot of new responsibility expected from kids in middle school.  Getting around independently on their bikes really helps build their confidence.” said Wehmann. The camps also give parents peace of mind knowing their children are riding visibly and predictibly with traffic. Said one parent, “It’s one of the best things we could have done. I’m grateful for bike camp every morning when my son rides across town to school.”

Wehmann brings years of experience teaching bicycle safety with Bike East Bay, volunteeering as a Safe Routes to School  Champion, and advocating for improved cycling access in Alameda along Shoreline Drive, Central Avenue and the Alameda Cross Trail.

This is Wehmann’s third year of week-long bike camps, where she takes groups of 6 kids out for hands-on practice mastering everything they need to know about riding their bikes safely on the road.  As part of each camp kids practice riding from their home to their school. “But what the kids like most is riding to the parks, to In-N-Out, to get ice cream and to a water park,” said Wehmann with a smile.

To date there are 45 of Wehmann’s bike camp graduates riding Alameda streets with bike safety vests, using hand signals and following the laws.  This coming summer there are 6 weeks of all-girls camps and 6 weeks of all-boys available for the next crop of bikers.  Wehmann is also offering an Adventure Biking program for previous camp graduates, where kids will ride and ferry to places like San Francisco, Angel Island, the Berkeley Marina and more.

Camps are led by Wehmann and experienced and certified bike safety instructors with over 18  years of combined experience teaching  bicycle riders of all ages.

Registration for summer bike camps and other information regarding  private coaching, after-school classes starting in September and more at www.easystreetcycling.com

Bike Walk Alameda members receive a $5 discount!