Norwood Elementary teams up with Yamaha to teach kids how to ride bikes (WBIR / WATE)
OLIVER SPRINGS, Tenn. — Kindergarteners and first-graders at Norwood Elementary School in Oliver Springs received a big surprise.
"I have been getting kids asking me all week, 'What's happening? What is our surprise?' and to see their faces when they took off the parachute today was so exciting," said Lyndsay Foust, the Principal at Norwood Elementary.
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative donated 24 bikes to Norwood as part of their All Kids Bike initiative. The school says right now, students are learning the basics of balancing on a bike and using their feet to move it.
Once they have balanced down, pedals will be added.
"Some of them said they have never been on one before, so by doing the balance part first it really works on that core strength," Foust said, "So, once they implement the pedals about halfway through the program, they're going to better successfully ride the bike, feel less intimidated and feel more comfortable."
Yamaha said that, along with the bikes, they've also given the school curriculum to help teach the kids how to use them step by step.
"Along with these bikes they also get a full line up of new helmets and then it's introduced right into the curriculum for their PE teacher to coach and teach these kids how to learn how to ride a bike and how to ride it safely," said Dan Rivito the Destination Yamaha Manager for Yamaha Motor Company.
Foust said the bikes are already getting kids more excited for physical education.
"I think they were totally shocked, and overwhelmed. Some were disappointed that they can't take them home, but I told them that just gives them something to look forward to coming to school and going to PE class each day."
And the kids said they're ready to get started
"I'm looking forward to first, riding them and then getting the training wheels and then riding them without the training wheels," said Rylee Foust, a first grader at Norwood.