Irle Elementary Receives Bikes For Gym Program

Cherry Creek Bike Shop in Glasgow delivered 20 14" Strider balance bikes to Irle Elementary on March 9 and with the assistance of Glasgow Police Department's Robert Weber, Norman Dick and Jewel Etherington, as well as Bethanie Keim – Edward Jones, all bikes were assembled and lined up in the Irle Elementary gym in less than an hour.

The bikes, in addition to a 20" bike that will also be available, are part of the Strider All Kids Bike program, which will be implemented in the kindergarten gym curriculum. Due to the generosity of the Glasgow Police Department and Bethanie Keim – Edward Jones, in addition to funding provided by Cherry Creek Bike Shop, the program includes the curriculum with support for five years, helmets, the bikes and pedal kits for each bike.

The students will spend four weeks on the balance bike and then pedals will be added for another four weeks of learning. Byron Hallock, the gym teacher for Irle, will start the program this school year with the first four weeks to see how the program goes with plans to implement the full program next school year. In addition to Irle, the Glasgow Rec Department will be utilizing the program during their summer sessions and Nick Knight, owner and operator of Cherry Creek Bike Shop, is in talks with other Valley County schools to utilize the program as well.

"The program itself is only eight weeks, so any other schools in Valley County that I'm able to reach out to or who reach out to me, we can rotate the bikes around the area," stated Knight.

Even with a lot of use, Knight does not expect a lot of maintenance will need to be done. The tires on all of the bikes are made of solid rubber so they don't need to be checked and refilled with air. All of the seats are also adjustable to fit the rider. "Though I do need to check with other schools who do the program to see what kindergarteners can do to these bikes," laughed Knight.

Getting the program and bikes into the hands of community children has been a few years in the making due to the COVID pandemic.

"When I first starting thinking about this, COVID happened. I didn't know what schools would look like or even what the supply would be to be able to get the bikes ordered and delivered. As soon as Mr. Sugg took over as principal, we chatted and were able to get things moving forward with the program," explained Knight.

Knight wanted to bring this program to the area due to his own experience of riding as well as his unique perspectives from owning a bike shop. As a result of the length of time it has taken to have everything fall into place, Knight admits he was emotional when all the bikes were assembled and ready to go. "Just something so simple can impact so many kids all over Valley County for years. I'm really thankful for those that made it possible," said Knight."I have realized a lot of kids didn't have the opportunity to ride or even know how to ride a bike. I think back on my childhood and riding a bike is freedom, independence, that is what bikes gave us as kids. Glasgow is still a place where you come home when the streetlights turn on."

Knight stressed there are more programs in the works to utilize these bikes throughout the area in order to teach as many children as possible to learn how to ride.