Red Wing presenters describe Safe Routes bike fleet at Burnside, outline maintenance and curriculum plans

Sarah Dawson, a public health educator with Goodhue County, and Red Wing staff on Monday described a Safe Routes to School bike fleet that the district has begun using at Burnside and other schools.

Dawson said her position is funded through the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership and local initiative Live Well Goodhue County. "Safe Routes to School is just making walking, biking and rolling to school safer and more, accessible for all students," she told the board, adding that the program’s goal is healthier, happier students.

The program description said the city of Red Wing received about $290,000 in Safe Routes infrastructure funds for engineering and signage improvements across Sunnyside, Twin Bluff and Burnside, and Burnside used Minnesota Department of Transportation planning and boost grant funds valued at around $67,000. The Burnside plan allocated roughly $38,600 of that amount to purchase a bike fleet, helmets, a storage trailer and Walk Bike Fun curriculum materials.

Molly Wallrick, physical education teacher at Burnside, described classroom use. She and another teacher co-taught an October unit and divided students by confidence: "I took the confident riders and practiced hand signaling, avoiding hazards and how to safely group ride," Wallrick said. "Mr. Lee took the students who were not yet confident on bikes and practiced with the balance bikes."

Alan Daley, the district grounds director, outlined care and logistics for the portable fleet and trailer. Daley said the trailer can carry up to 32 bikes, and staff are looking at training so in-house staff can perform routine maintenance rather than returning bikes to the vendor.

Presenters identified vendor NewSpin of Rochester as the supplier. They said NewSpin has supplied fleets to nearby districts and offers maintenance services and staff training; the district purchased adjustable bikes intended to fit a broad range of students. The presenters said some existing red bikes were large for second graders, so staff have trimmed seat posts and are exploring additional shorter frames and more balance bikes to meet younger students’ needs.

Dawson noted a 2023 Minnesota mandate requiring age-appropriate walking and bicycling education in public schools and said Burnside used the Walk Bike Fun curriculum to comply with that requirement during the fall unit.

Program staff said bike lessons will resume in spring with an emphasis on practice time, safety review and at least one off-campus field trip for a grade level. The trailer will be housed at Burnside when not in use and will rotate among district schools.

On sustainability, Daley said the district did not receive extra tubes with the initial shipment and that staff plan to stock spare parts and pumps. The presenters also discussed possible training for staff to handle minor repairs and the risk of wear items—kickstands and reflectors—that they expect will need routine attention.

District leaders said the bike fleet is an early step and that purchasing additional 16-inch bikes and balance bikes would expand student access. The presenters linked the activity to academic benefits, saying physical activity can boost focus and motor skills important for reading and math.

Speakers also asked the board to note that while the fleet is adjustable for a wide size range, staff will continue to fine-tune fit and acquire additional smaller bikes to serve younger students.

The board did not take formal action on the presentation; presenters said they will return with updates on spring planning, inventory and maintenance training.