Approximately 300 second-grade students in Washington, D.C., have completed a year-long bicycle safety program aimed at teaching young riders how to navigate city streets responsibly. The program, implemented by D.C. Public Schools since 2015, covers essential skills such as helmet fitting, hand signal use, and speed control.

The initiative culminated in a “Graduation on Wheels” ceremony held on Friday near the Kenilworth Recreation Center in Northeast Washington. During the event, students were presented with a bicycle, helmet, and lock to support their ongoing safe cycling practices. The program emphasizes the importance of biking both as a practical mode of transportation and as a means to encourage physical activity and independence among children.

Miriam Kenyon, director of health and physical education for the school district, has highlighted the program’s role in promoting lifelong skills. She noted that biking offers students an alternative way to commute to school and engage in family exercise, fostering both autonomy and well-being.

“Graduation on Wheels” is a collaborative effort involving D.C. Public Schools, DC Bike Ride, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Events DC, and JK Moving. In addition to the formal presentation, the ceremony featured a group bike ride to a nearby park, symbolizing the completion of the course.

Students from several schools across the city participated, including Lorraine H. Whitlock Elementary School and Anne Beers Elementary School in Northeast and Southeast Washington. During the event, students were observed practicing helmet fittings and learning how to operate their new locks, essential skills for safe and secure cycling.

Since its inception, the program has taught thousands of D.C. second-graders, aiming to instill safe riding habits from an early age and encourage the adoption of cycling as part of daily life. Officials see it as a vital part of health education that supports citywide goals related to active transportation and child safety.