Godfrey-Lee Elementary School Early Childhood Education students lifted their feet and rode on their new pedal-free Strider bikes.
“I like it! Watch what I can do!” shouted kindergartner Madison Kremers as she zoomed past.
Physical education teacher Julie Swanson is using the bikes in her gym classes with kindergarten through second graders, many who have never ridden bikes before. Swanson received a state grant from the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, allocated through Kent ISD, to purchase 17 Strider bikes. Sans pedal, student’s learn to balance on the bikes and ride by “striding” eliminating the need for training wheels,
“It’s just going to be another component of physical education,” said Swanson, who also teaches the students yoga and gymnastics.
Swanson involved the community in the project, hosting “Bike Build Day,” during which students’ fathers and Lee and East Lee high school students helped assemble the bikes.