(FORT MCMURRAY, AB – May 8, 2019) The award-winning Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2 program is back, and the second annual pick up day will be held on May 10, 2019 – 1 p.m., at Father Beauregard School in Abasand. The initiative provides adapted bikes so all children can have the opportunity to ride a bike.
Earlier this year, Wood Buffalo You Can Ride 2 won the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s coveted Citizen Recognition Award shared by the Fort McMurray Public School District, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools, the Canadian Red Cross and Ability Fund.
This year, we are pleased to have Safe Community Wood Buffalo, Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Habitual Sports, Children’s Ability Fund, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and the Canadian Red Cross as part of our many sponsors.
“This is an amazing initiative, which continues to grow as we adapt bikes for many different needs. We are thankful to everyone for their donations and support as well as the hard work from our consultants. The idea behind this initiative is to allow ALL children in Wood Buffalo to experience and enjoy the opportunity be be outside riding a bike. Nothing beats the smiles on our students’ faces when they finally get to ride a bike suited to their specific needs. We are looking forward to May 10,” said Shannon Noble, Assistant Superintendent, Inclusive Education, Fort McMurray Public School District.
Bikes are provided for students in grades K-12 this summer. Several children were fitted with adaptive bikes earlier this year and over 90 bikes will be picked up on Friday. We will see these bikes out in our parks and on the trails soon.
“The first You Can Ride 2 program started in Edmonton in 2012. We had been wanting to bring it here ever since. We are very thankful for our sponsors and volunteers who have made this second year a reality. It’s essentially a lending library of adapted bicycles allowing families to borrow bikes throughout the school year and summer. Children are assessed by a trained physiotherapist or occupational therapist to ensure they have a bike that will suit their individual needs. We are very excited for our Try a Bike Day,” said Fort McMurray Catholic Schools Deputy Superintendent Monica Mankowski.
“We are incredibly proud of the Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family for making sure all children are included. Our team has done exceptional work taking care of our children with the most special needs. Having accessible bicycles available for families is a wonderful inclusive way to bring all children together,” commented Fort McMurray Catholic Board of Education Chair Paula Galenzoski,
“Congratulations to everyone involved in this award-winning initiative. We are happy to see the region embrace this invaluable program. Thank you to the team for their dedication and diligence, and to all of the community partners who have contributed to provide this opportunity for children,” noted Linda Mywaart, Board of Trustees Chair, Fort McMurray Public School District.