Teach Someone to Ride A Bike in Greer, Taylors

Forty individuals will learn how to ride a bike in a week.

The iCan Bike program presented by Eastside YMCA, Down Syndrome Family Alliance, and Coke Cares will be held July 29-Aug. 2 at Taylors First Baptist Church.

iCan Bike is a program that teaches individuals with disabilities how to ride a bike using an adapted bicycle created by a mechanical engineering professor. Participants gradually learn balance and gain confidence that is hard to obtain on a traditional bicycle. And by the end of the week, they're on two wheels!

It's a program that Zach Hall, executive director for the Eastside Y, is excited about.

"Eighty to 90 percent of these individuals, ages 8 and up, will learn to ride a bike in a week," Hall said. "That is pretty incredible."

Hall said that he had an opportunity to see one of the programs in action in Charlotte. He said while they were only there for a day, but that it was interesting to see how much the students learned in a short amount of time.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the progression from Day 1 to Day 5."

Hall said they are still accepting applications for riders, as they hope to do five sessions with eight riders in each session.
Download rider form here. 

Volunteers are also needed. Hall said volunteers should be fit and have the ability to jog for 75 minutes.

Other requirements include: 

• At least 16 years old (15 years old if accompanied by an adult)

• 15 minutes of training/daily debriefing prior to session

• Able to provide physical, emotional and motivational support to assigned rider. 

• Able and willing to get some exercise (light jogging/running) for a great cause!

• Able to attend volunteer training Sunday July 28th for one hour (3 to 4 p.m.) at Taylors First Baptist

Download volunteer form here.

Each rider attends the same 75-minute session for each of the 5 days and is assigned two volunteers that will work with the rider throughout the week. 

• 8:30 am - 9:45 am
• 10:05 am – 11:20 am
• 11:40 pm – 12:55 pm
• 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
• 3:35 pm - 4:50 pm

Get more information: Call Eastside YMCA at (864) 292-2790 or email Lindsay Buckles at lbuckles@ymcagreenville.org