MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — An elementary school bike club in Mountlake Terrace encourages students to get healthy as well as enjoy reading with trips to the local library.
“It’s really fun. The wind gets in your face and it tickles,” said Vesla Kvinge, 10.
The Cedar Way Bike Club recently wrapped up its ninth year. The club starts again in the fall. Cedar Way fourth- through sixth-graders with a helmet and bicycle can join with parent permission.
Kristyn Staal, a fourth-grade teacher, took over the club years ago. She wanted students to have a fun and supervised afterschool activity. Eventually she’d like the club to extend to longer rides during the summer.
“It builds their confidence and allows them to be a part of something,” Staal said.
The club was sparked by Cedar Way teacher LeAnn Onishi. Staal offered to help.
The group takes six to eight rides in the fall and another six to eight during the spring as weather and daylight permit.
“We live in Washington, and I think they should learn that if you want to get out and exercise in Washington, you might get wet once in a while,” Staal said.
The kids pedal just under three miles one way, from the playground at Cedar Way, 22222 39th Ave. W, to the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave. W.
Once there, students can get help with homework or read and check out books.
Students had different reasons for joining the club, including going to the library to read the “Dragon Ball Z” series and stops at local parks.
“It’s fun and it gives you something to do after school,” said Chloe Sisk-Parise, 10.
Students learn the rules of the road and how to ride safely with traffic.
Staal wants the community to become aware of the club’s presence and not be surprised or impatient when they see a line of students on their bikes.
“I’m teaching safety skills, but these are kids and they make mistakes,” she said. “I am responsible for keeping them safe, and creating awareness in the community will help.”
She’d like to build relationships with community bike groups and shops. Some challenges center on the need for kids to have safe bikes, she said. Some students show up with bikes that need repairs. Others would like to join but don’t have a helmet or bicycle.
For Staal, bicycling and leading the program is personal. Through cycling, she lost more than 100 pounds.
“Bike club sparked a fitness revolution for me,” she said.
Staal hopes her experience with getting healthy will encourage other students facing similar obstacles.
“I enjoy encouraging them when they struggle with the hills by sharing my personal experiences,” she said.
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