July
2002
There's Logic in Isles' inner-city youth mountain
bike program
The
First Union Classic bike race has come and gone through the streets
of Trenton, but that doesn't mean that you won't see anyone riding
a bicycle down Broad Street or in Cadwalader Park until next June
when the race rolls around again.
Trenton's
own fine police officers have one of the nation's premier bike
patrols. With the input of such grass-roots programs as the Trenton
Cycling Revolution and the formation of new bike lanes on Warren,
Lafayette and Front Streets, Trenton's efforts to become a bike-friendly
city are well underway.
These
efforts are bolstered by the Cycle Logic program that is a part
of Isles, Inc., a nationally recognized nonprofit community development
and environmental improvement organization. Through Cycle Logic,
Isles uses mountain bikes and other outdoor recreational activities
that aren't always the first activity within reach of inner city
youths to foster change in areas such as health, fitness, social
development, and environmental awareness.
Among
Cycle Logic's goals are to educate young Trentonians in safe cycling
practices and proper cycling etiquette in traffic and on trails
alike. The program is also designed to engender in its members
a respect for the environment, focusing on the principles of reducing,
reusing and recycling.
These
activities are not merely healthy alternatives to crime and drug
abuse. They also develop for young people a sense of pride, of
entrepreneurship, and of course, they develop mechanical skills
that could either come in handy directly or expose an affinity
for handiwork.
Carter
Patterson is the Cycle Logic program coordinator, responsible
for the day-to-day operation of the program. He is responsible
for the current curriculum and its administration.
"(Carter)
wears many hats and has the required abundant energy to facilitate
the workshops and seminars," says project manager Milt Sharp.
Patterson also is responsible for tracking the program participants
and their development in the program, specifically around the
character-building components of the program.
Cycle
Logic's programs expose young people to mountain biking as a lifelong
physical activity while providing them the opportunity to learn
the skills and values that will help them to deal more effectively
with life's difficulties. As program participants experience themselves
and nature in positive ways, they develop healthy interests and
habits while having fun.
Participants
also develop personal skills as they practice teamwork and cooperation;
self-esteem is realized as they achieve program goals. Participants
learn basic bicycle care and maintenance, riding techniques, and
some elementary racing skills in addition to learning about their
local wilderness areas and the role they play in its maintenance
and conservation. Additional instruction is focused on safety,
health, nutrition, and fitness.
Cycle
Logic's programs encourage parental involvement and volunteer
participation in order to develop and maintain a committed partnership
with the community served by Isles.
According
to Sharp, last year there were approximately 500 children who
participated in the Cycle Logic program citywide. This year Isles
will continue its relationship with the Department of Parks and
Recreation, Natural Resources, and Culture.
"The
success of the program last year promises to bring out more children
this year," Sharp says.
