Bike, Walk, Roll: Engaging Students with Disabilities with Safe Routes Programs
Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes programs are evolving to be more equitable, including a growing momentum toward engaging students with disabilities in Safe Routes to School. Safe Routes practitioners are designing accessible materials, partnering with expert educators, and using adaptive equipment that allows all students to participate in program activities.
Our Engaging Students with Disabilities in Safe Routes to School fact sheet provides critical guidance for Safe Routes to School staff, volunteers, or program leaders on planning and developing a program that considers and meets the needs of students with disabilities. In this companion resource, we spotlight three communities that are committed to accessibility and inclusivity.
While each program has its own approach, the end goal is clear: students with disabilities can and should participate in walk, ride, and roll programs — and have fun while doing so!
Program Spotlight: Bike First! Brings Joy in Portland
Portland-based non-profit Bike First! teaches individuals with disabilities to ride two-wheel bikes. Bike First! offers an annual week-long bike clinic that provides a supportive environment for participants to gain the skills and knowledge to ride with confidence. Their team of experienced instructors, trained bike mechanics, and volunteers help individuals who often experience barriers to learning how to ride. Participants receive individualized instruction to help them reach their goals, whether that is learning how to pedal or overcoming a fear of falling. Everyone celebrates their success at a culminating ceremony at the end of the clinic.
Bike First! is committed to inclusivity at every level; not only do they teach people with disabilities, they also employ people with disabilities. In fact, program participants have gone on to become Bike First! instructors and inspire new riders. The Bike First! method is clearly working. Since 2005, Bike First! has served over 650 students and adults and are only growing in popularity.
“The first step that I can tell you in your program — you got to say ‘yes.’ Families get very scared to send their kids with disabilities to camp because we’re afraid we’re going to be rejected…We’re scared. We need people to say ‘Yes! Let’s figure out how to make this happen!’” — Ann Donaca, Bike First!
Program Spotlight: Fort Collins Safe Routes to School Plans for More Inclusive Programming
Fort Collins Safe Routes to School has a multi-phase plan to include students with disabilities in program activities.
Phase I added adaptive modifications to their elementary school bike and pedestrian education curriculum. The team in charge of updating the curriculum included a Safe Routes to School captain who specializes in elementary education and an autism teacher.
Phase II, on the horizon, will add adaptive modifications to the middle and high school curriculum.
In future phases, the City hopes to acquire a trailer to house adaptive equipment that can travel to different schools and to hire a subject area expert to coordinate adaptive programming. The Safe Routes team also seeks out school partners and community partners like Athletes in Tandem to provide guidance, organize inclusive bike field trips, and build program capacity to support students with disabilities.
Program Spotlight: Minneapolis Public Schools Bike Day is Just the Beginning
Every spring, hundreds of students in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) look forward to Bike Day. This event brings together students in grades 4–12 and Transition Plus from across the district to enjoy a special bike celebration hosted at a local high school. Students ride adapted bikes around the outdoor track and learn bike safety basics they can take out into the world.
The fleet includes 95 adapted bikes, tricycles, and strider bikes. This infusion of fun, safety, and skill-building prepares students with disabilities to travel independently around their communities. MPS began their adaptive physical education program in 2012. Program staff, partners, and dozens of volunteers plan for months to deliver a high-quality, joyful experience for the students. Their 2024 event welcomed 410 students from 29 schools. Next up — biking with students on the Greenway and West River Parkway bike paths by the Mississippi River in the fall!
For more information, please visit “Engaging and Including Students with Disabilities in Safe Routes Programs,” the Walk, Bike, Roll Series, or learn more about the Safe Routes Partnership!
