Cordova High School Junior Bike Patrol students stand with American River Bike Patrol mentors along the American River Trail. Photo by Gerry McIntyre

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Cordova High School students in Rancho Cordova have benefitted from a program created by the American River Bike Patrol (ARBP) that has introduced teens to the joys of cycling and taught them life skills in an unusual way.

On Nov. 9, 29 new young riders received new Trek FX 1 Bikes after completing a 10-week preparation program.

The students are members of the Patrol's Junior Bike Patrol, a community service project designed to inspire teens to a new means of transportation. The Junior Bike Patrol (Velo Lancers) is sponsored by the City of Rancho Cordova and Cordova High School.

Most of the 29 new young riders had never ridden a bike more than around the block. Their cycling skills were rudimentary at best. On the first day, they were challenged to ride six miles. They learned how to pull the brakes and shift the gears. A few crashed.

City of Rancho Cordova Representative Randi Stephens and Trek Bikes Representative Larry Hightower hand out new Trek bikes to Cordova High School Junior Bike Patrol graduates. Photo by Vic Massenkoff

With growing pride of personal accomplishment, the students learned that they could ride distances, that they could ride stably and safely on bike trails and city streets, and that they could load their bikes onto buses and light rail.

The students learned how to repair and replace a flat tire, how to care for and maintain a bike. They even had half a day of first aid training. Each week, the distance they rode increased from six miles, to 10, to 20 and eventually to the entire 32-mile distance of the American River Parkway.

On Nov. 9, they graduated from the program by riding their bikes 32 miles from Beal's Point to Discovery Park in Sacramento. Upon arrival, they each were presented with a new Trek FX-1 bicycle, set up by Trek and given to them for free by the American River Bike Patrol with support from the City of Rancho Cordova and some very generous donors. Joining them on the concluding ride were Cordova High School teacher, Lina Washabaugh and fifteen mentors from the American River Bike Patrol.

Cordova High School Teacher Lina Washabaugh stands at Beals Point (Folsom Lake) as she prepares to lead Junior Bike Patrol students down the American River Trail on their final 32-mile ride. Photo by Gerry McIntyre

"What these teens did is inspirational. They proved to themselves, their families and teachers that great things are possible in a short amount of time when you apply yourself," said  American River Bike Patrol Director John Poimiroo. "Students aren't the only ones who benefit," added Communications Advisor Vic Massenkoff. "Mentors develop wonderful relationships with teens from all over the world. It is a privilege to be a small part of their lives and to see them grow in this program. It is so gratifying to see the teens and their parents beam with pride when they receive their new bikes."

Speaking at the graduation ceremony were Rancho Cordova High School Principal Amy Strawn, a parent of one of the riders, several student riders, representatives of the City of Rancho Cordova and officials from the National Ski Patrol and Trek Bicycles. All agreed that this program was an absolutely collaborative success!

The American River Bike Patrol (ARBP) is a unit of the National Ski Patrol and is a non-profit volunteer organization. The American River Bike Patrol relies on the generosity of donors to maintain and expand the Junior Bike Patrol Program. Those wishing to contribute or who might be interested in becoming mentors can go to the ARBP website at americanriverbikepatrol.org for more information.

Cordova High students learn basic bicycle maintenance and repair. Photo by Gerry McIntyre

About the American River Bike Patrol

Established in 2020, the American River Bike Patrol is a unit of the Mother Lode Region in the Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol (NSP), a federally-chartered nonprofit charitable association.

Recently, the National Ski Patrol trademarked "National Bike Patrol" and American River Bike Patrol is among its first patrols. The National Ski Patrol is widely recognized as a leading authority on outdoor recreation safety. It is dedicated to serving outdoor recreation by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers.

The American River Bike Patrol has 110 volunteer bike patrollers.

Its mission is “To assist trail users of the (32-mile-long) American River Parkway by providing emergency medical and bike repair assistance, directions, information about the Parkway and its Trail Rules and Regulations, and to assist the County of Sacramento and California State Parks and their park rangers with improving safety along the entire the length of the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.”

American River Bike Patrol mentor Rick Tower leads Cordova High School cyclists along the American River Bike Trail during one of 10 Saturday training sessions. Photo by Gerry McIntyre

The trail has 8,000,000 visitors annually, according to the bike patrol. The bike patrollers have provided 13,800 assists, 11,140 hours patrolling, 866 repair assists and 520 medical assists

Bike Patrollers provide a safety presence along the American River Parkway and serve as trail ambassadors. They report maintenance concerns and support county and state park rangers.

In its first year, the American River Bike Patrol was named best bike patrol in the Far West and second-best in the nation. Its patrollers have received state and national awards for lifesaving, according to the American River Bike Patrol.