Foundation Sponsors Bicycle Program

If you have had the opportunity to be out and about in Pratt between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. you might observe something that looks like the Pied Piper. Kids are following a man around town on bicycles. It isn’t an illusion because that is exactly what they are doing.

Annually, since 1994, the Pratt Health Foundation (PHF) has operated a Bicycle Safety and Fitness program in conjunction with the Pratt County Health Department. On Mondays and Wednesdays, third and fourth grade kids from Southwest Elementary are following Mr. Bryan on a Bicycle Safety and Fitness ride. On Tuesdays and Thursdays Haskins Elementary kids are following him. Often the line of bikers stretches out for several blocks. The program is designed to provide an exercise program while teaching kids the “rules of the road.”

The free program motivates kids through new bicycles and/or helmets. Kids in the program are required to signal, ride on the right side of the road, develop courteous driving habits, watch for traffic and generally cooperate. Those who get less than three tickets over the duration of the 4-5 week program are placed in a drawing for a new bicycle, one at each school if more than 10 enroll. This year kids will be given a new bicycle helmet when they enroll as it is a special promotional year, usually those with perfect attendance are given a new bicycle helmet at the conclusion of the program.

The kids work up to a three mile bike ride, two times a week. Bicycle Safety and Fitness starts annually after Spring break and concludes around the first week in May.

The program provides adult supervision. DeWayne Bryan, the PHF Executive Director, rides his bike with the kids and is often found at the front of the long line of students. Additional adults are posted at high traffic intersections and the Pratt County Health Department provides a trail car which follows the trail of bikers to assist kids who have any kind of problem.

“Often the weather is the biggest challenge,” states Bryan. “Our rules for the program are if the temperature on “Time & Temperature,” (672-5654), is less than 55 degrees at noon, it is raining or there is lightning we will cancel the ride for the day.” It is always a challenge to coordinate the program on days when the weather is marginal. The schools can be contacted on the days when the weather is in question.

The program was initiated in 1994 with a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation targeting health concerns in Pratt’s elementary schools. When the one-year grant was completed the Bicycle and Fitness program component continued for third and fourth grade students at Haskins and Southwest.

Bicycles and helmets are provided by donations and endowed funds received by the Pratt Health Foundation and the Pratt County Health Department. Those interested in helping in any way should contact the Pratt Health Foundation office.