BIKES 2013: Official Press Release

Bicycle-Inspired Kinetics in Elementary Schools

B.I.K.E.S. with Professional Cyclist Ben Chaddock

My Passion

Boise 2012: Courtesty MFS

Hello, my name is Ben Chaddock and I live to connect and inspire those in my community. What started as a single bicycle safety rodeo for Kay Barga’s grade two class at Edison Elementary in Walla Walla, Washington in 2008 has undergone a five year metamorphosis into Bicycle-Inspired Kinetics in Elementary Schools. Combining the personal accounts of my professional cycling career with academic insights from professional guest speakers centered upon environmental and economic issues, I aim to develop BIKES 2013 into a learning and inspirational tool for elementary school classes in locations within North America where I train and compete.

As the name B.I.K.E.S. and its capstone message 'Dream Big' suggests, I aim to get young people moving and inspired. Whether it's bicycles or any sport, I believe the self-confidence a young person gains through a healthy and active lifestyle is critical to discovering that they do have the power to dream goals and then pursue them. With this program the students see and hear from people who have dreamt then pursued their goals successfully, across a wide assortment of possible pursuits. The aim is to illustrate that, like others have done, the students can pursue their passion interest and achieve their dream goals.

For 2012, we started with a basic model that worked very well. I visited Kay Barga’s class during the autumn months for a 30 minute presentation and question session. This introductory session provided first hand the most significant lessons I'd learned through my cycling this past season in the context of me pursuing my own dreams. Questions and answers engaged the students to help them relate to their own dreams and goals. It was also a time to cover bike riding safety, and share some sponsor-supplied gifts:  a framed photo and a team jersey, as well as Team Exergy stem caps, sponsor stickers and other swag. Throughout the school year, I then posted and sent videos to the class that highlighted various topics related to the pursuit of goals, such as the importance of learning, teamwork, taking pride in what you are doing, and enjoying your successes.

Heading into 2013, I am seeking to expand the program with the help of a title sponsor. Having already confirmed interest from multiple schools throughout British Columbia and the western United States (in Whistler, Richmond, Boise and Walla Walla), I am developing a broader framework for the program to provide insight to the students from not only the world of professional cycling but short, guest-speaker guided and location-specific topics selected to pique interest and highlight first hand examples of people pursuing their passions and realizing their dreams. Candidate topics include the aurora borealis, San Francisco’s protected redwood forests, Jim Thorpe’s monumental athletic career, water use in Santa Barbara’s vineyards, and how precipitation in the Northwest corresponds with salmon migration.

Beyond 2013, I aim to add bike safety awareness and bike safety rodeos, building upon the already successful bike safety rodeos Kay and I coordinated in the Walla Walla Valley starting in 2008. These initiatives would facilitate connections between elementary school staff and local cycling safety organizations. Each province and state has different cycling regulations, some of which include free helmet programs that all students should have access to where available. This extension of the BIKES program would broaden the reach of bike safety with young cyclists, as well as the market reach and community services opportunities for related sponsors. 

Edison Elementary Dec.2011

Program Details

BIKES 2013 has two distinct parts: the initial classroom visit and the inspirational video series.  Due to my journeyman schedule, I travel between many different cities throughout the year. When I am in your area, I can be available to visit with a group of your students (usually grades 2-4) for 30-40 minutes provided it matches harmoniously with my training/racing schedule commitments. As a follow-up, your school class will be added to my list of bi-weekly video recipients where I cover a wide range of inspirational topics. An estimated travel schedule can be found in the appendix.

BIKES Classroom Program

The classroom visit segment is undoubtedly the most powerful element of BIKES.  Each 30-40 minute visit can include a wide collection of activities depending upon the teacher’s preference. I like to start the session with a movement activity before sharing Team Exergy’s 90 second teaser video. From there, I am happy to offer insights from the racing season which usually morphs into a Q&A period. To cap the visit, I like to present an autographed photo to the class, as well as show some of the cycling equipment (bicycle, helmet, and how they work etc). This year I am requesting a small monetary donation of $100 in exchange for the presentation of a signed 2012 Team Exergy jersey to the class or school. All other costs of my visit are covered by BIKES’ sponsors.

I also hope to take a few photos at the event (similar to the ones pictured in this proposal) to appease the advertisement requirements of my sponsors via online posts on my personal blog @Cyclinginatoque and @BIKESBC social media outlets. However if this is not appropriate at your school, please let me know and I’ll keep the camera at home.

To keep the students engaged after the initial visit, I am pursuing the continuation of the Helmet Tag initiative that we implemented in 2012 at Edison Elementary. With the help of Team Exergy Pro Cycling and the Trademark Sign Company of Boise, Idaho, we created individualized helmet name tags (just like the Team Exergy riders) for all of the students.  The BIKES Video Program (described next) also provides an ongoing information flow to the students, and can be a catalyst for responses from the class (video or otherwise) that can be incorporated in communications within or beyond your school.

BIKES Video Program

The inspirational video segment of BIKES is fundamental to reinforcing the topics discussed during the inital classroom visit and provide a powerful educational tool that teachers can utilize in their lesson plans.  The videos incorporate topics in environmental sciences and sports.

Sixteen video updates are currently scheduled for the BIKES 2013 8 month curriculum, to be released every two weeks while taking into account school vacations. Once a month, a BIKES video update will include a guest speaker from the environmental science profession. By introducing the students to an environmental issue at that week’s training/race location (for example: a Redwood forest specialist during Palo Alto, CA stay in Nov-Dec), students will gain exposure to issues outside their town while providing teachers with a reference point for further lessons.  Alternating with these will be video updates ‘from the road’ that will incorporate reflections from my time as a professional athlete similar to the topics discussed in 2012 (daily goals, teamwork, resilience and respect). 

To captivate my target audience (7-11 yrs old) and reinforce the kinetic nature of my BIKES message, updates will incorporate movement, exemplifying the act of pursuing passion interests and passion goals as opposed to just sharing their significance.  For example, athletic reflections ‘from the road’ will incorporate on-board footage while BIKES’ guest speakers can guide us through the most exciting elements of their environmental profession (e.g., walking while talking).  So in general, these 2013 updates will focus on: 1) Capturing the enthusiasm and energy of striving towards one’s passion interest, 2) exemplifying the relationship between an active lifestyle and self-confidence and 3) the importance of dreaming big in the pursuit of one’s passion interest.

Enrolled classes will receive video updates via Dropbox according to the schedule listed in the appendix. I aim to deliver the videos by 9am on the scheduled day, however difficulties with uploading occasionally occur due to unforeseen internet accessibility issues while away on racing trips. The videos will also be availabe for public viewing via youtube and shared on @BIKESBC (twitter & facebook).  I am hopeful that these videos and the topics covered can spur the creation of video replies from the class which will help develop the long term impact of the BIKES program. 

Although the cost breakdown of these community-service events is about $200 / video and $300 / school visit, I do not ask for your financial support. Instead I ask for your support in making bicycling and athletism a continued focus at your school by providing an inspirational model that can be utilized by the teaching staff to complement their existing teaching plans.

Getting Started

Edison Elementary 2008

If this kinetic-inspiration program sounds like a good fit for your school, please feel free to contact me to schedule a phone conversation. During this conversation, I can address any questions you may have and share contact references from currently enrolled classes. I travel with most of the items required for initial visits, so check the schedule below to see when I'll be in your area; I can usually visit given a bit of lead time to firm up logistics. 

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to bring movement and the power of good health to our schools.

Sincerely,

Ben Chaddock

Team Exergy Pro Cycling

Email: Ben Chaddock Email

Website: Cyclinginatoque

BIKES Webpage: Cyclinginatoque /bikesbc + 2012 Media

Twitter: @BIKESBC

Facebook: @Bikes_bc

Skype: @ben.chaddock

Appendix:

Autumn 2012 Travel Schedule

Oct.  1 - 18th	Whistler, BC	Spring Creek 10/2 + Avail.  for Vancouver, BC Visits
Oct. 22 - 26th	Walla Walla, WA	Edison 10/26
Oct. 29 - 31st	Boise, ID
Nov 5 - Dec 14th	Palo Alto, CA
Jan 1st – Feb 1st	Tucson, AZ	to be confirmed

Classroom Visits: Enrolled & Proposed Schools

Confirmed Schools

Potential Locations: (To be confirmed)

Whistler, BC                                  ·          Spring Creek Elementary                 ·          _________________________ Greater Vancouver, BC                 ·          _________________________                 ·          _________________________ Walla Walla, WA                 ·          Edison Elementary                 ·          _________________________                 ·          _________________________

·         Boise, ID                    ·         Palo Alto, CA                    ·         Seattle, WA                    ·         Portland, OR                    ·         Ventura, CA                    ·         San Dimas, CA; Redlands, CA                    ·         Charlotte, NC, Philadelphia,PA, Wilmington, DE;

Academic Guest Speaker ENVS Series: Proposed 2013 Schedule

October 30	Vancouver, BC	To be confirmed	ENVS: Forestry
November 27	Boise, ID	To be confirmed	ENVS: Salmon
January 8	Calgary, AB	To be confirmed	COMPUTER: Aurora
February 5	Ventura, CA	To be confirmed	ENVS: Ocean Survey
March 5	Hollywood, CA	To be confirmed	FILM: Producer
April 2	Portland, OR	To be confirmed	ENVS: Rainwater
April 30	Boise, ID	To be confirmed	MED:  Sports Surgeon
May 28	Palo Alto, CA	To be confirmed	ENVS: Tectonics

Athletic Reflection Series: Proposed 2013 Schedule

November 14	Palo Alto, CA	Ben Chaddock	Daily Success: DREAM BIG
December 11	Palo Alto, CA	Ben Chaddock	The Peloton: Respect
January 22	Tucson, AZ	Ben Chaddock	The Leadout Train: Team Work
February 19	Ventura, CA	Ben Chaddock	Team Camp: Camaraderie
March 19	Hollywood, CA	Ben Chaddock	Spring Races: Daily Lesson
April 16	Portland, OR	Ben Chaddock	Deep Practice: Passion Interest & Skills
May 14	Boulder, CO	Ben Chaddock	Peak Events: Confidence
June 11	Philadelphia, PA	Ben Chaddock	Goal Events: Intuition & Resilience