Spanish-speaking students in Whatcom County learning bicycle skills through free program
A Whatcom County program aims to provide Spanish speaking students with bicycle training and the chance to earn their own bike.
The free program is intended for all Spanish-speaking students, with a focus on those new to the United States, in grades 6-12.
Nonprofit organizations Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition and the Vamos Outdoor Project have partnered to provide multi-lingual youth in the county the opportunity to learn biking skills in both city and mountain environments. The program has existed for the last five years but recently received a significant increase in funding thanks to a grant from the Cascade Bicycle Club, and by extension, the transportation funding bill passed by the Washington Legislature in 2022.
“It has been amazing,” said Ellie Price, WMBC Communications and Program Coordinator for the Vamos Outdoor Project. “We come together to provide transportation, food, mountain bike and instruction for the students. ... We have ride leaders, volunteers and staff who speak Spanish so the program is generally done in Spanish and English.”
“The (Cascade Bicycle Club) grant supports both youth bike development in and out of schools,” Price said.
The funding will allow the WMBC to hold lessons five times a week instead of two, and reach more than twice as many students. The program has also been able to expand beyond the Bellingham School District to the Nooksack and Mount Baker districts, according to Price.
While biking lessons are taught by the WMBC, the Vamos Outdoor Project has been providing outreach and transportation for students. The Vamos Outdoor Project provides outdoor access and opportunities for Spanish-speaking students in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
The funding has also allowed the hiring of two new employees, one for the mountain bike coalition and one for The Vamos Outdoor project, Price said.
Yahir Cantero, team leader at the Vamos outdoor project, was hired thanks to the grant.
“When you have a kid that is on a mountain trail and they are afraid of going down the trail, you have to talk it through with them and give them confidence,” Cantero said.
Students start their lessons at the Waterfront Pump Track in Bellingham, where they learn the basics of riding and safely navigating both urban and mountain terrain. At the pump track students are given a list of skills they need to master before being allowed to go up to Galbraith Mountain where they are given another list of goals, Price said.
Classes range all over Galbraith Mountain, from the easier bunny trails to the expert runs such as Scorpion depending on the riding level of the students.
Bikes have always been provided to participants, but now every student has the chance to earn their own bike at the end of the lessons. The exact requirements for earning a bike is still being determined, but Price said the students will have to attend at least six out of the eight classes and “demonstrate several bike and road safety skills that they will be able to check off each ride. Skills such as: signaling when turning on the road, stopping without dragging their feet, being able to maintain a ready position up off of the seat, and many more like this.”
Students who complete these requirements will have the choice between a mountain bike or one built for a city environment. A helmet and bike lock are also provided.
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