iCan Shine rolls out the inspiration

Takoma Park Safe Routes to School hosted the iCan Shine Bike Camp at Takoma Academy July 6-10 with daily sessions using professional staff and specially adapted bikes to teach individuals with disabilities how to ride a conventional bike. Thirty riders and 50 volunteers worked together during five daily sessions. Campers progressed from the very stable roller bikes to their own shiny new bikes, some as early as Wednesday. Parents watched in amazement as their children rode a two wheeled bike for the first time.

Joshua Williams was the first to ride. As he glided around the outdoor track, a huge smile on his face, his mother and brother looked on, mirroring his smile. “Look at your boy, Ma,” whispered his brother, James. After the camp, his mother Danna wrote, ” iCan Shine is a wonderful program for providing such an experience for children and Takoma Park is a great city for hosting it. Again, thank you so much for making this wonderful milestone of learning to ride a bike, as amazing for Joshua at age 14 as it would have been at age 8.”

Joshua and the other riders gained confidence, independence and a chance to be included in a way they never have been before. Safe Routes Coordinator Lucy Neher hopes to see at least two riders on Bike to School Day at Piney Branch Elementary School next spring.

This article appeared in the August 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.