A Bike First! participant on a modified bike in 2009.
(Picture: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)
After a two 12 months hiatus, the Bike First! camp will return to Portland for its fifteenth 12 months. This camp is hosted by the Northwest Down Syndrome Affiliation and All Born (In), organizations managed by the nonprofit Northwest Incapacity Help. The Bike First! camp helps younger individuals and adults with disabilities learn to experience adaptive bikes in a completely supportive atmosphere.
The Bike First! camp began in 2006, after founder Ann Donaca-Sullivan’s son Cody, who was 10 on the time, advised her he wished to experience a motorbike however he didn’t understand how. Cody has Down Syndrome, and wanted some further assist to have the ability to experience together with his associates. Since then, 500 individuals with disabilities have gone by the camp to study abilities they wanted to be snug using bikes, coaching with particular adaptive bikes on the camp.
Donaca-Sullivan obtained an Alice B. Toeclips Award for her work in 2008.
“The advantage of using a motorbike is that our youngsters get to be wholesome and get to be included. They’re happening rides with their households, they usually’re assembly their associates to experience their bikes,” Donaca-Sullivan mentioned in a promotional video (beneath) a number of years in the past. “It helps different individuals see they must be included.”
The camp may also provide programs for individuals who don’t have disabilities but additionally haven’t discovered to experience a motorbike or want a tune-up on their abilities.
Bike First! week shall be from June 20 to June 24 this 12 months, with a compulsory volunteer and household assembly on June 19, and is open to anybody over the age of 8. The Fast Begin/Refresher programs for individuals with out disabilities shall be held from June 22 to June 24 and are open to individuals 5 and up. Beforehand, this camp has taken place at Concordia College, however this 12 months it will likely be held at De La Salle North Catholic Excessive Faculty in Northeast Portland.
The camp has spots out there for 45 contributors to turn into new bicyclists this summer season, they usually’re additionally on the lookout for volunteers. The complete-week camp prices $250 and the Fast Begin/Refresher lessons price $150, however there are scholarships out there. You possibly can signal as much as volunteer or take part right here.
Under is a Bike First! promotional video…
Taylor has been a BikePortland’s employees author since November 2021. She has additionally written for Road Roots and Eugene Weekly. Contact her at taylorgriggswriter@gmail.com
