The Celebration of Cycling Spring Campaign is underway!

This year, PEAC has decided to take our promotion to the web and to your front door. For the next two weeks (April 8th until April 22nd), PEAC will be flyering communities all over Michigan, as well as posting on our blog and Facebook about the 21st Annual Celebration of Cycling!

And now, for some exciting news:
The registration for the 21st Annual Celebration of Cycling is now OPEN!

Click on the link below to register.
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5331105480

If you would like to get involved with our campaign or if you have any questions, please contact liz@bikeprogram.org.

Celebrating the falls!

This weekend, PEAC and RydeOn! spinning studio in Saline are hosting its 2nd Annual PEAC Ryde-A-Thon to support our Summer Programs. Thank you to everyone who has supported our programs over the last year, because of your help, PEAC was able to work with over 250 students in its Summer Program and over 1,500 students in community events. 

Below is a story from one of our first time Summer Program staff members, Monica and how she felt the first time one her students took a spill on her two-wheel bike and the courage of Maria to get back up and try again. 

Before beginning the summer program with PEAC, we had to go through staff training. At this training, we did a lot of bike riding, bike mechanics, and rules of the road. Additionally, we were trained in how to interact with the kids who would soon attend the summer program. This involved the classic rundown of disabilities we would encounter and the basics of how to interact with these kids.

One of the most important pieces of information I received during staff training was regarding accidents. We were instructed to celebrate the falls. Being a worried mother at heart, this seemed incredibly contradictory to what I would usually do. I have seen kids fall off of bikes, or trip over their shoelaces, and all I want to do is coddle them and wipe their tears until they feel better. But J. Waterman said no. And whatever J. Waterman says, goes.

I distinctly remember when my first student fell. Maria was a determined little bugger who was re-learning how to ride a bike after suffering head injuries in a car accident. We spent the morning warming up, Maria eventually riding with me only having my hand on her back for support. We finally were able to work up enough courage to the point that Maria felt comfortable with me letting go while she continued pedaling.

This, in itself, was a challenge for me. But Maria was strong and confident, and so I took my hand off of her back and continued running slightly behind her. She rode like a champion! When we decided to try stopping, Maria squeezed the brakes and came nearly to a full stop before she lost her balance and fell to the side of her bike, on her hands and knees.

My heart stopped, and my instincts told me to go help her up, hug her, and get her some band-aids. But instead, I tried out what John had instructed us to do. I cheered for her. I told her it was a "great fall!" and that she was going to have some awesome scrapes that would let everyone know what a true bike rider she was. Maria smiled a smile that I had never seen before. It was different from the joyous, blissful smile of when she was riding. This was a smile of pride, determination, and drive. She was smiling because she had pushed herself past her comfort zone and accomplished something that she had been working towards for a long time. While she may have fallen after her success, she would soon prove to herself that she COULD get back up and do it again. She WAS strong enough for that. And the absence of coddling was exactly the right move. 

By the end of the summer, Maria was riding circles around me. We even began working on the sidewalk and practicing rules of the road. Without having celebrated the falls, Maria would have been discouraged time after time, fall after fall. Instead, the falls symbolized her continued perseverance and her constant new accomplishments.

Celebrating the falls demonstrates our pride in having pushed ourselves a little bit further. It is an outward expression of our excitement to try again. 

This weekend, please consider donating to PEAC, whether it is at the 2nd Annual PEAC Ryde-A-Thon or online. Please visit bikeprogram.org for more details. 

Winter 2013 PEAC Newsletter

Join our Ryde-A-Thon and Support PEAC’s Summer Programs!

Join us for the 2nd Annual Ryde-A-Thon on February 9th, 2013!

We will start spinning at the RydeOn! studio in Saline (450 E. Michigan Avenue, Saline, MI) at 1pm and continue until 7pm. Our sessions start every hour with a different instructor that is sure to bring a different flavor to your workout!

Riders commit to one 50 minute session and participate in teams of 4.

Registration for the event is $25 per person and all proceeds go to helping defer the cost of PEAC's Saline Summer Program Site.

We encourage participants to spread the word about our summer program and collect donations to support our upcoming 2013 programming. The team who raises the most money will receive special recognition and all participants will receive a gift bag from local sponsors. You can also ask your family, friends and coworkers to sponsor the miles you have ridden at the Ryde-A-Thon!

To register for the event, please visit bikeprogram.org! 

If you have any questions about the event, please email liz@bikeprogram.org

PEAC works with over 1600 Students this year!

PEAC is proud to announce that we were able to work with over 1600 individuals this year in all of our programs, and events. This couldn’t be done without the support of all of those who donate to our program. With your help we can keep increasing our programs and work with more students in the coming years!

Active Transportation Continues in the Snow!

It might be cold and snowy outside, but that doesn’t mean that programs at PEAC go into hibernation.  Students in our Active Transportation Program are braving the elements every week to practice using the city bus.  Here is a look at what we have been up to in the past few weeks:

MACOMB COUNTY:  Seniors at Sterling Heights High School have taken trips to downtown Birmingham, Troy’s Target, and Somerset Mall, while their peers at Warren Cousino have been traveling to Oakland Mall.  We are about to start planning trips to job sites—this will mean making transfers!   

OAKLAND COUNTY:  Students at Visions Unlimited have been enjoying the new bus shelter on the corner of 10 mile and Research Drive while waiting for Route 330, and are starting to brainstorm ways of making Research Drive safer for all community members.  Downtown Farmington and Target are the top destinations for this group of students!

WAYNE COUNTY:  Meijer, Southgate Mall, Panera Bread, and Downtown Wyandotte are all places that you might see PEAC students spending their time this winter.  Students at the Jo Brighton Skills Center and Roosevelt High School are about to start planning for a trip to the Henry Ford Museum in late March.  These travelers will use the internet and SMART bus schedules to plan all logistics for our trip.  

UPCOMING EVENTS! 

Private Lessons:

    PEAC has recently revamped its private lesson program. We will be starting private lessons again in the spring. For more information, please contact Liz@bikeprogram.org

Summer Program: 

     Registration for the 2013 PEAC Summer Program will be opening shortly. For more information, please contact steve@bikeprogram.org

Volunteers Needed: 

      PEAC is always looking for volunteers to help with our programs! We are currently looking for anyone interested in helping with promoting our 21st Annual Celebration of Cycling! If you want to help, please contact liz@bikeprogram.org. 

  

2012 PEAC Fall Newsletter

Programs to Educate All Cyclists
Fall 2013 Newsletter

20th Annual Celebration of Cycling a Success for all Cyclists
    In its inception, the Celebration of Cycling was the only fully inclusive ride in Michigan. 21 years later, we still believe that Everyone Can Ride; with routes ranging from 6 to 100 miles, cyclists of all abilities can participate in this great event! The ride begins and ends at the Warrendale Picnic Area in Hines Park and the first 6 miles are traffic-free. This event raises funds and awareness for Programs to Educate All Cyclists, a non-profit organization that empowers individuals with disabilities through cycling. 
    This year, we were proud to see so many students achieving their summer program goals. Each summer, we ask our students to come up with a goal for the Celebration of Cycling. At this event over 75 summer program students and their families were able to ride together and with cyclists from the community.
    Without the support of our sponsors and the gracious donations from all of you, this would not be possible. Thank you for your continued support of our programs. 
     Please join us next year on September 14th, 2013 for the 21st Annual Celebration of Cycling! If you have any questions, please email Liz at liz@bikeprogram.org

Summer Program at PEAC

     This summer, Brian G. and his dad came to PEAC to try their hand at riding a two-wheel bike. At Brian's evaluation, his favorite bike was the blue Terrier tricycle. He pedaled it around the parking lot for 20 minutes. The thought of riding a two wheel bike was scary! Slowly, but surely, Brian braved a tandem and then tried out a two-wheel mountain bicycle without pedals. As the summer went on, Brian became more and more determined to pedal the two-wheeled bicycle on his own. With only two days remaining in summer program for Brian, upon arrival, he bolted out of the car, picked up the blue two-wheeled bike that he had been walking, scooting and gliding all summer, pushed off and started

pedaling. The staff didn't even realize the huge accomplishment Brian had just made until I heard screams of "Brian, YOU ARE DOING IT! You are riding a two-wheeled bike!" Brian took a lap around the parking lot and then coasted to a stop by his dad, squealing in delight.

 He pushed off again, put his feet on the pedals, yelling

around the parking lot "I CAN DO IT! I CAN RIDE A BIKE. A TWO-WHEELED

BIKE."

If you would like more information on the Summer Program, please email Steve at steve@bikeprogram.org

Active Transportation has begun! 

Active Transportation Program wrapped up its fall bike program. For 5 weeks, 120 students have been diligently working towards their personal cycling goals. Megan, a student at Visions Unlimited in Farmington Hills started working with PEAC last spring, and participated in our summer program. Every week, Megan, her dad, and PEAC staff have been pushing towards her goal to independently pedal a tricycle. Last week, Megan started pedaling on her own. That same week, Shaila, a student at Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte took her first community ride on a 2 wheeled bike and Brian balanced a 2 wheeled bike for the first time. The students are already looking forward to biking again this spring! 

The Active Transportation Initiative is one of PEAC’s newest projects. Beginning in the spring of 2011, this ground-breaking program empowers individuals with disabilities to become more independent through pedestrian, cycling, and public transportation education and training. We are currently working with Wyandotte, Farmington, and Warren Public Starting next week, students will begin fixed route transit training. Upcoming destinations for our bus trips include Somerset Mall, the Henry Ford Museum, and downtown Farmington Hills. Hope to see you on one of our outings! For questions about the project, contact Laura at laura@bikeprogram.org.

PEAC EVENTS: 

Private Lessons

Recently, PEAC has revamped its private lesson program. During the fall, we have been able to work with 15 students on individual cycling skills. Our waitlist has already started for the spring, so sign up today! If you are interested in signing up or more information, please email Liz at liz@bikeprogram.org. 

2nd Annual PEAC Ryde-A-Thon

PEAC will once again partner with the RydeOn! spinning studio is Saline to raise funds for the Summer Program. Please join us on Saturday, February 9th for a day of teamwork, fun and spinning! Please email Liz at liz@bikeprogram.org for more information. 

Please visit our website:  bikeprogram.org

Celebration of Cycling kicks off Detroit Bike Week!

The 20th annual Celebration of Cycling is happening on Saturday, September 8th, 2012. 

This event is an opportunity for PEAC to showcase its summer program students, as well as providing an opportunity for everyone to ride. Our first 12 miles are completely traffic free, for the more casual cyclist. After that, our loops range from 24 miles, 35 miles, 50 miles, 70 miles and 100 miles. 

This year, our event was given the privilege of kicking off the Detroit Bicycling Fest,  an entire week of cycling events all over the city!  

Here is the schedule for the week of September 8th until Septmeber 15: 

Saturday, September 8: 

Beat the Train
Brewery History Tour
20th Annual Celebration of Cycling ride
NSO Handlebars for the Homeless

Sunday, September 9:
Tour de Ford
Prohibition Bike Tour

Monday, September 10:
Bikes and Murder Ride

Tuesday, September 11:
11am City Memorial Service at Campus Martius

Wednesday, September 12:
The full Grand Blvd ride, 1730 start at Rivard Plaza.

Thursday, September 13:
Open

Friday, September 14:
DIA/Detroit Film Theatre Movie Event 9:30pm at the DIA

Saturday, September 15:
Tour de Troit!!
Beat the Train

We hope to see you on Saturday, September 8th to warm-up your legs before the 25 mile ride around the city of Detroit! 

To register for the Celebration of Cycling, please go to: http://celebrationofcycling.eventbrite.com/

9 days until the Celebration of Cycling!

There are only 9 days left to register for PEAC's 20th Annual Celebration of Cycling Ride that empowers cyclists with disabilities! 

With your help, we can work with students like Ben and give them the opportunity to ride! 

Ben, age 11, is a summer program veteran. This year ma

rked his seventh year of participation in our programming! Here is a note from him about his experience:

Since I was 4 years old, I started cycling with PEAC. This is my seventh year and it has made big difference in my life. The program has taught me to be ride a two wheel bike. I was part of the summer program and ride in the family rides at Willow Metro Park. I’ve rode over 1,000 miles! Everyone at PEAC helps me ride safely, independently, and they are all about having fun. Isn’t that what riding your bike is all about? Even though it took me time to find my balance to ride by myself, now I can ride on my own or on a tandem!

Registration for our ride begins at 7am and the Start/Finish line is at the Warrendale Picnic Area on Hines Drive. 

Please register online at http://celebrationofcycling.eventbrite.com/. 

If you can't come to the Celebration of Cycling, please consider sponsoring a cyclist at bikeprogram.org
See you on September 8th! 

With the end of PEAC's summer program and the coolness of weather approaching, that can only mean one thing. Fall is coming! The coming of Fall brings cheering on of your favorite college football teams, visits to the cider mill and of course PEAC's Celebration of Cycling. 

The Celebration of Cycling is entering its 20th year as being the premier fundraiser for Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC) as we empower the lives of individuals through cycling in order to enrich lives by increasing community access, fostering social improvement and promoting healthy lifestyles. 

With the money raised by the Celebration of Cycling, students all over southeastern Michigan have the opportunity to ride. This event helps keep the cost to only $35 per student for 7 weeks of individualized summer program instruction. This year, PEAC has had the opportunity to work with more than 150 students to help them reach their cycling goals and PEAC has worked with more than 700 students this summer through auxiliary programs in local communities. 

This summer has been filled with successes! Here are just a few to help you envision a day in the life of our summer program. 

Eden E, age 8, is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and uses an electric wheelchair as her main mode of transportation. On the day of her initial evaluation, her mom brought her adaptive trike to site and said that Eden would be using this as her bike and she would like her to learn some community safety skills to help her navigate the sidewalks of their neighborhood. Eden's adaptive trike has a back support with a waist belt to help keep her upright as well as foot plates and straps to keep her feet on the pedals. After seeing that Eden was pretty skilled at the nuances of her own tricycle by being able to steer around our parking lot track, we decided that Eden would be able to ride on the back of a tandem. Eden was surprised and excited that she would be able to ride another bike besides the one that she brought from home and her mom was a little frightened at the idea of Eden on a bicycle without as much support as her adaptive trike provided; however, both Eden and her mom allowed us to expand Eden's bike repertoire. After a few laps around the parking lot, it was clear that Eden had found a new love in the tandem bicycle and instead of just learning about community skills from her tricycle, Eden was able to experience the surrounding community on the back of a tandem bike. 

Brian G., age 9, came to us after working with Lose the Training Wheels last summer. Unfortunately, Brian just couldn't figure out two-wheel skills after working with them. So, Brian and his dad decided to take the summer off from bicycling and to try again. This summer, they came to PEAC to try their hand at the two-wheel again. At Brian's evaluation, he wouldn't even look at the two-wheeled bicycle; instead he found a little blue tricycle and pedaled it around the parking lot for the whole 20 minutes. Slowly, but surely, we weened Brian off of the tricycle and onto the tandem and a two-wheeled bicycle without pedals. Eventually, Brian came to realize the freedom and the speed that he could experience while riding a two-wheeled bike and he became more and more determined to pedal the two-wheeled bicycle on his own. With only two days remaining in summer program for Brian, upon arrival, he bolted out of the car, picked up the blue two-wheeled bike that he had been walking, scooting and gliding all summer; pushed off and started pedaling. The staff didn't even realize the huge accomplishment until I heard screams of "Brian, YOU ARE DOING IT! You are riding a two-wheeled bike!" Brian took a lap around the parking lot and then coasted to a stop by his dad, squealing in delight. He pushed off again, put his feet on the pedals, yelling around the parking lot "I CAN DO IT! I CAN RIDE A BIKE. A TWO-WHEELED BIKE." 

These and many more students have reached success through our program this summer. We hope that you will come out and ride with us on September 8th to Celebrate our students and to continue to reach out to cyclists with disabilities. To register for the event, please go to this website http://bikeprogram.org/celebration-of-cycling-registration/. If you are unable to attend this event,  please consider sponsoring a cyclist with a disability, for only $20 you are giving that participant a chance to ride.