Bicycle Safety Education for All Students

 

Biking is a popular mode of transportation and recreation for students, especially with the rise in popularity of e-bikes. To foster a safe and sustainable transportation culture, Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) has partnered with community organizations and local law enforcement to provide bicycle safety education to students. By equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe biking, we aim to promote safe and healthy transportation options.

In partnership with community organizations such as  Walk ’n Rollers, Pedal Ace, and Project 529, as well as the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Police Departments, NMUSD schools will provide bike safety education throughout the school year. Training will be focused on the rules of the road, traffic awareness, and the proper use of safety gear, encouraging students to develop important safety habits.

Elementary schools will host a schoolwide assembly in collaboration with Walk ’n Rollers, where students will learn and test bike-safety practices and learn proper helmet-fitting techniques.

Secondary schools will offer an online safety program through Pedal Ace, which includes lessons on driving rules, how to share the road, helmets and other safety gear, accident prevention, and ebike safety and maintenance. At the completion of the course, students will be issued a certificate that can be turned in to the school office for a shield decal. 

All secondary students who ride bikes/e-bikes to school must display the decal to prove they completed the course and register their bikes with the Project 529 Garage, a database that assists law enforcement in recovering lost or stolen bikes. Many secondary schools are also collaborating with Walk ’n Rollers to create bike safety events.

Supplemental education is available to all schools through additional safety presentations from the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Police Departments and Project 529.   

In collaboration with community organizations, students, and parents, we are dedicated to equipping all students with the knowledge and support they need to become safe, confident bicycle riders. When students are well-informed about bicycle safety, they protect themselves and become role models for their peers as they contribute to creating safer roads for everyone. Contact your child’s school for more information.