Newport Schools Release Student Bike Survey

Overview of Responses:

1,518 Responses: Evenly split boys and girls

Distribution by school: Coggeshall 154, Cranston Calvert 199, Sullivan 244, Underwood 155, Thompson 438, Rogers 312 (16 did not identify school)

Trends based on student comments:

1) Bicycling is seen as a great method of transportation in the summer when there is traffic congestion. It’s both more convenient and more fun to get where they want to go.

2) There is significant concern about theft.

3) There is a definite concern about the cool factor: Bicycles lose to cars. Helmets lose to no helmets.

4) They want to know how to fix their bicycles.

5) They want more bike racks.

6) They are concerned about cyclists and motorists who don’t follow the rules.

Conclusions:

1) Bicycles, helmets and locks to kids who want them.

2) Provide instruction with regard to rules of the road and riding skills.

3) Ask more questions to understand the drop in interest from ES to MS/HS.

4) Address/alleviate concerns: theft, fear, distance.

5) Need encouragement to reach kids who don’t ride bikes.

Recommendations:

Grade-appropriate bicycle education K-12 in order to provide students with: a. the means to achieve and maintain a healthy life b. a sustainable mode of independent transportation for short trips c. the opportunity to know their community up close, to understand the rich cultural heritage

N/A = not asked