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Campers with disabilities learn to ride bikes in South Fayette
Campers with disabilities learn to ride bikes in South Fayette
South Fayette Parks & Recreation offers annual program for adults and youth
By Harry Funk
Even if we take a certain skill for granted, that doesn’t mean everyone can do it.
“The statistic is 90% of individuals with Down syndrome never learn to ride a bike,” Cherise Sandrock said during a program in South Fayette that provided an opportunity for people with disabilities to gain the competence.
Sandrock is executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, which joined the township in offering a weeklong iCan Bike Camp.
“This our second year partnering with South Fayette, and it’s just been amazing,” she said. “We saw an increase in riders this year, and it’s good for their physical health and quality of life, and it’s super fun.”
Held in June at South Fayette Intermediate School, the program is a key component of iCan Shine, a nonprofit based near Philadelphia.
“We travel around the country. Different host organizations have us come out and run our camps,” iCan Bike floor supervisor Makayla Brungardt of Wichita, Kansas, said.
During each week of camp, volunteers work with participants to develop their abilities. The bicycles they use are equipped with custom-designed features, including a bar on the back that guides can hold to help keep riders steady and upright.
“Riders come in the first day usually a bit apprehensive,” Brungardt said, but that usually passes quickly. “They gain so much confidence and they progress so much throughout the week.”
By the end of the five days of camp, about 80% of participants learn how to ride a conventional two-wheel bike for at least 75 feet with no assistance, according to iCan Shine.
In South Fayette, finding people to donate their time on behalf of iCan Bike was no problem.
“A lot of them are regular volunteers who have put in many hours and volunteer at a lot of our events,” Ian McNeill, township recreation coordinator, said. “Then we also have a lot of new volunteers.”
Among them was Rebecca Sray, a member of South Fayette’s Board of Commissioners.
“This is my first year participating as a volunteer with these children, and I’m so impressed with the amount of work that they put in. It’s hard work,” Sray said.
“And I’m really impressed with the families, that they’re really supportive of the program and of their children.”
Her grandson Levi Bardo, an eighth grader in the CanonMcMillan School District, was another first-time volunteer on behalf of the riders.
“I want them to get better at riding a bike and just getting better in life,” he said.
Adults and youth ages 8 and up may learn to ride at the camp.
Hosting iCan Bike represents an opportunity for South Fayette Parks and Recreation to expand its community impact.
“We serve all people across multiple demographics,” McNeill said, “and it’s very valuable to have another opportunity to serve the demographic of people with disabilities.”
Learn more about the camp: southfayettepa.com/icanbike.
Watch a video about iCan Bike Camp on the township's YouTube channel.
