- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Santa Barbara Middle School Links Bike Pedals, Community Partnerships
As the winner of Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition’s (Bici Centro) Bike to Earth Day contest, Santa Barbara Middle School will donate the cash prize of $250 to a nonprofit or charity of its choice.
Nearly 50 riders pedaled their way to the April 21 event to be the largest group of organized riders attending the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival.
The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition’s Christine Bourgeois said the contest idea came from the notion that there are many cycling groups in Santa Barbara, and “it’s more fun to ride with family and friends.”
“This contest was a way to show the social aspect of biking and encourage groups to get together,” she said.
It is a fitting win for Santa Barbara Middle School, as it is well known for its accredited outdoor education program, through which students have traveled more than 2.5 million miles on their bikes since the school’s beginning in 1976.
Each year, SBMS spends about 20 nights out in the wilderness teaching students to be environmentally aware. On most of their outdoor expeditions, you will find students and teachers on their bikes. The bicycle is a tool and a metaphor that the school uses to teach resilience and self-confidence.
A key aspect behind the safety and success of the school’s biking journeys is the help and expertise they get from their student Bike Monkey team — a group of student leaders trained in bike mechanics.
“On our schoolwide bike trips, the Bike Monkeys are the first ones up in the morning and the last ones to go to bed each night as we are prepping and fixing bikes so that all the kids can have a fun, safe and successful ride the next day,” said Jake Garner, a ninth-grade student and one of the Bike Monkey captains this year. “We are also the students who will ride alongside new riders, offer up our own bike if we need to, and work hard to motivate others to have a great ride.”
Jesse Kasenhagen, SBMS science teacher and Bike Monkey faculty adviser, said he enjoys providing a service that supports the greater Santa Barbara community.
“Our Bike Monkeys enjoy working side by side with Bici Centro and Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition to be of service to the public,” he said. “The Bike Monkeys have a great opportunity to be of service to the bicycle community. They teach others how to conduct regular maintenance checks and do some repairs on their own bike, so that riders feel safe and are ready to ride.”
This is the third year that the SBMS Bike Monkeys have assisted the Bike World program at the Community Environmental Council’s Earth Day Festival.
— Sue Carmody is the director of community outreach for Santa Barbara Middle School.
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use
More Local News »
Montessori Center School Celebrates Class of 2013
Rae Largura: How Important Is Community Service for a Great College Application?
Greta Conried of Santa Barbara Graduates from Gonzaga University
Married Orcutt Teachers Scott and Maureen Wilson Close the Book on Long Careers
After logging a combined 67 years in the district, the couple say they're looking forward to traveling and getting back to their hobbies
Samantha Crane of Santa Barbara Graduates from University of Rhode Island
Weather: Fair 61.0º
Search Noozhawk »
