Back in January I began to teach a group of Boy Scouts the Cycling Merit Badge. I have been really having a good time with this. We ride twice a week and are beginning to effectively move through a variety of urban situations. The best part is seeing my son take leadership and watching him direct the beginning scouts through the rides in a safe and courteous manner. We are approaching our teaching from a John Forester “Effective Cycling” mindset. I’m trying to impart that the bicycle is not just an exercise machine, or off road toy, but it is also a serious form of transportation that they can use throughout their lives.
Here is my problem. Many of these kids show up to ride 10, 15, 25, & 50-mile urban routes with ill-adjusted and rusty Wal-Mart mountain bikes. These things are huge POS’s (NEXT). They don’t shift, brake or track straight. They are heavy and they slow the group down. I don’t have enough adult leadership resources to divide into a POS and fast group. It is often just me and my son guiding the group. I try to offer two or three loaner bikes to the kids when one of them has a total failure. Like the kid that showed up on 30 year old tires and expressed amazement when they blew at 25 psi.
I can’t afford to maintain a fleet of the 10-15 bikes it would take to keep all of these kids in cycling. So do I cater to the kids on decent bikes (Schwinn and above) that are capable of completing the routes at a reasonable speed, or do I slow everyone down to keep pace with the kid going the slowest? Can I really say to a poor kid, “Sorry Junior, you can’t ride with us until your parents buy you a decent bike”? I don’t have the free time in my life to run two ride programs, one for slow and one for fast. Any suggestions?
iceratt
03-13-04, 12:54 PM
Biking is good exercise and fun, but if the scouts are going to get badges for accomplishing something, part of that should be self-sufficiency. Before each ride, you could discuss and demonstrate a basic area of repair or maintenence. On a couple rides, you could bring tools and wait for mechanical failure. When it happens, let the kids fix their own bike, using you and the other scouts pro re nata. When you guys have rest stops, bring up the topic of what makes a good bike better than a POS. Some of the kids might choose to upgrade.
Allen H
03-13-04, 01:25 PM
Another option:
Start your ride from a nearby bike shop that rents bikes by the hour.
Before riding, teach/show the Scouts how to do a basic pre-ride inspection. It's possible they'll discover (almost on their own) that their bike is a POS that needs work/replacement, and a rental might be a viable alternative until they can work on their own POS.
randya
03-13-04, 01:52 PM
I agree with the previous post that this merit badge should be about more that just riding. Repair skills and self sufficiency are important too. It even seems like there's a lesson to be taught these kids regarding quality vs. cost, and how the global economy (cheap Chinese bikes from the WalMart) impacts them locally in a variety of ways, often negative. Reusing/recycling old bikes could also be part of the program. I'm going to guess that the local Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. have a ready supply of older, better-quality bikes that just need to be fixed up a little. There's a local shop in Portland named the Community Cycling Center. It teaches inner city kids bike repair and riding skills, and puts REAL bikes into their hands. Maybe you could use it as a model for something in your area.
http://www.communitycyclingcenter.org/
Here's a good bike safety site that has a little different approach than effective cycling, that I find very practical:
http://bicyclesafe.com/
Prosody
03-13-04, 04:55 PM
All this advice is good. The teacher in me says that you should be clear in your own mind as to what earning the merit badge requires of the scouts and how you intend to help them meet the requirements. Remember that you have to take kids how they come to you; you can't, you just can't, send kids away because their bicycles do not measure up to a high standard. I think, though, that you can insist that their bikes meet some minimum safety standard. Bringing bikes up to standard could be a way to introduce the scouts to the self-sufficiency needs in cycling. Maybe a local bike shop would be willing to provide some basic repair classes.
You should also talk to the parents about bicycle safety and invite them on your rides.
John E
03-13-04, 08:27 PM
Great thread, and great idea for a merit badge. Yes, fixing up decent older bikes should be part of the agenda, as should be parents.
AndrewP
03-13-04, 09:00 PM
The program should also cover adjustment of the bike to fit the rider. When fixing a bike it isnt just the owner who learns, but it must be a group effort so several boys take part in doing the repair.
Apart from safe transportation aspects of cycling, some pure fun items should be included, such as slow bike races, slalom races or bike polo.
smurfy
03-14-04, 08:21 AM
Our local shop just got in a Richard Sachs bike. I would love to show kids this bike and what craftsmanship is really like and teach them, without being judgemental, what to look for in a quality bike (I would stress that, of course, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a bike to have fun cycling). Perhaps show them a pro-grade downhill mtn bike and talk about suspension, frame strength etc. and why it has certain characterists for it's intended purpose.
Oh, I can just hear parents now, wailing about "you're trying to make the kids feel bad, blah, blah" which is, of course, not my intention. If the merit badge is for, say Auto Mechanics, it would be a great learning experience to expose them to a Rolls-Royce or an Indy 500 race car, for example.
Who knows, maybe some of the kids would get into the cycling business or advocacy. After all, Richard Sachs got an Alan as his first ten-speed and look where he is now!
Da Tinker
03-14-04, 08:40 AM
Since it is a Scouting program, why not appeal to local businesses for a small loaner bike fleet? Or try the area Scout council, you might get lucky. My area council has a fleet of whitewater canoes that it rents out.
Also, check with area police offices. They may have a herd of impounded bike with a few suitable bikes in the pile.
N_C
03-14-04, 02:16 PM
Hey joe, after reading the requirements I get the impresson a properly maintained bicycle is required. I think this gives you the ability to tell the scouts until they have a well maintained bike to use they will not meet the requirements for the badge. Maybe one of your LBS's can loan some bikes for scouts that don't have a good one to use. Talk to them to see what they have to say. An LBS may even be willing to give some classes on bicycle maintenance which will help the scouts.
darksky
03-14-04, 05:30 PM
This is a great thread. I agree with Prosody on this. It would be a good idea to invite the parents to ride along. Show some basic maintenance before the ride, as well.
Ebbtide
03-14-04, 05:43 PM
In reading the requirements of earning this badge, I would understand if you required a certain "level" of bike before my youngster went out on the road.
Did you ask them as a group what they would like to do?
supcom
03-14-04, 07:17 PM
Why not send a note to each parent explaining that you encourage participation by all of the kids who wish to earn a cycling merit badge but that, in the interest of safety, each kid must bring a bike with working brakes, derailleurs, etc. Encourage the parents to check their kid's bike and take it to a local bike shop (provide a list of shops in the area) to get a tuneup if it needs attention. Stress that safety is most important and properly functioning equipment is key to safe riding and an enjoyable experience.
Be sure to send the letter to the parents, don't just make an announcement to the kids. This avoids the possibility that some kids might misinterpret you and think you are telling them they can't participate because their bike's not 'good enough'.
Another way to handle things is to have an equipment inspection meeting prior to a scout beginning to work on a cycling merit badge. Require that the parents and kids brings their bikes and you can go over them and point out to the parents what repairs are neccessary before the bike is used for scouting.
Isn't "Be Prepared" still the scouting motto?
Daily Commute
03-15-04, 05:32 AM
The answer is in the list of merit badge requirements. Tell them they have to complete steps 1-5 to your satisfaction before they can get to the actual rides. If the bike can't shift or brake safely, or if the tires are inadequate for the ride, the bike can't pass the inspection. Be strict.
I remember how my scoutmasters were sticklers for safety. The rule was, if you can't do something safely, don't do it. The boy scouts wouldn't let someone go overnight backpacking without the right (and sometimes costly) equipment. Your troop should apply the same common sense to biking.
Here are the first five requirements:
1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
2. Clean and adjust a bicycle. Prepare it for inspection using a bicycle safety checklist. Be sure the bicycle meets local laws.
3. Show your bicycle to your counselor for inspection. Point out the adjustments or repairs you have made. Do the following:
a. Show all points that need oiling regularly.
b. Show the points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
c. Show how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering post.
4. Describe how to brake safely with foot brakes and with hand brakes.
5. Show how to repair a flat. Use an old bicycle tire.
DanFromDetroit
03-15-04, 08:16 AM
I don't know about you but when I was a kid, I put a tremendous amount of miles on bikes that would qualify as a POS.
Some of these bikes were a hodgepodge of discarded parts found in the alleys of Detroit and patched together with only rudimentary tools.
I would give the bikes a basic safety inspection (brakes exist, parts don't fall off, reflectors, lights, etc) and do the rides.
Over a short period of time you can teach them all of the things Daily Commute mentions above (a excellent list by the way). You shouldn't be so concerned about speed and elegance. You need to get the kids exposed to cycling and the rest will come later.
Dan
Daily Commute
03-15-04, 08:49 AM
DanFromDetroit's attitude is better than the one I expressed in my post. Kids must be allowed to have fun on bikes. They don't need a $500+ bike to have fun and be safe.
When I say be strict, I mean, be strict about safety and basic function, but don't sweat that some bikes are ugly and heavy.
I disagree with DanFromDetroit about the order of things. They need to learn to put basic maintenance first. Most kids in your group probably already bike for fun. What scouting can teach is how to bike responsibly.
Of course, you see the kids. Safety always comes first, but if you think sitting them down to do the non-safety maintenance items first would suck the joy out of cycling, follow DanFromDetroit's suggestion. If, on the other hand, the kids already cycle for fun, make them do the maintance steps first.
Finally, there were some great suggestions in this forum about how to help kids find more-functional bikes.
randya
03-15-04, 01:29 PM
Encourage the parents to check their kid's bike and take it to a local bike shop (provide a list of shops in the area) to get a tuneup if it needs attention.
I think that proper mantenance should be the rider's responsibility, not the parents' or the LBS'. I think the kids should be able to perform a basic tuneup (adjust brakes, derailleurs, cables, etc.), keep tires properly inflated, lubricate chain and other components, etc., as one of the requirements, and as a lesson in self-sufficiency. I agree with others that the quality of the bike itself is probably secondary to the operating condition of the bike...
Paul L.
03-15-04, 05:13 PM
I have done this badge with my scouts several times. The first time we had a kid on a Roadmaster (interestingly enough they needed to take 5 bikes back before they got one that lived through the first week). We did an organized metric century for the final ride of the merit badge. They have to have it done in under 8 hours (at least 50 miles) and our slowest boy was on the specialized mtn bike not the roadmaster interesting enough. We were some of the last people in at 6:40 but they did it! It is fun to watch them do longer rides of their own now that they are a little older and realize a bicycle can get you more places then just your neighborhood. Regarding maintenance, our first few meetings were to fix up the bikes. The first ride was hilarious because everyone showed up on BMX bikes (10 miler). By the end of the ride they saw the logic in riding a bike more suited to longer rides and roads. Kids should be able to learn on their own within reason (safety should not be compromised of course, the beauty was they argued the value of roadbikes with me beforehand). For us this meant riding in two groups at times and regrouping periodically. The beauty of this merit badge is the build up rides that weed out those that aren't serious. If a boy has a sincere desire to do this on a roadmaster, he will do it no matter what with a little encouragement.
supcom
03-15-04, 05:18 PM
I think that proper mantenance should be the rider's responsibility, not the parents' or the LBS'. I think the kids should be able to perform a basic tuneup (adjust brakes, derailleurs, cables, etc.), keep tires properly inflated, lubricate chain and other components, etc., as one of the requirements, and as a lesson in self-sufficiency. I agree with others that the quality of the bike itself is probably secondary to the operating condition of the bike...
Except that the parents are ultimately responsible for their kid's safety. Certainly, the kids should be taught how to maintain a bicycle, but if they show up with an unsafe bike, it's the parents that need to know about the situation. My point was that the issue of an unfit bike is one between the scoutmaster and the parents - not between the scoutmaster and the scouts. If significant repairs need to be made, it's the parents who are likely to fund them anyway.
If the scoutmaster wants to teacha class in cycle maintenance, that's great. But I got the impression that he wanted to concentrate on riding skills, not maintenance tasks.
randya
03-15-04, 06:35 PM
...if they show up with an unsafe bike...
However it gets addressed, a bike that's unfit to ride should be taken care of well in advance of showing up for a ride.
Anecdotally, I stopped to help a boy in his early teens the other day. His chain had jammed between the frame and the freewheel, because the derailleur was out of adjustment. I opened the QR to free the chain, adjusted the derailleur for him and also took some serious slack out of his derailleur cable. I used the screwdriver on my vintage BSA knife to make the adjustments. The whole operation took less than 5 minutes. He told me that his parents had just taken the bike in for servicing...
Daily Commute
03-16-04, 06:25 AM
If the scoutmaster wants to teacha class in cycle maintenance, that's great. But I got the impression that he wanted to concentrate on riding skills, not maintenance tasks.
Maintenance skills are a key part of the merit badge requirements (maintenance skills are four of the first five requirements). This makes sense. Riding skills are far less useful without maintenance skills. Part of the purpose of the merit badge is to teach the kids to take care of their bikes without running to mommy or the LBS. Parents should know in advance that bike maintenance might cost $$$, but the same thing applies to almost any other scouting activity. Parents should also know if their kid insists on riding an unsafe bike, but the kid must convince the counselor that the bike is safe and roadworthy before starting the rides.
And thank you JoeTown244GL and Paul L for helping the kids get into cycling.
JoeTown244GL
03-16-04, 08:52 AM
Here is what I am handing out at tonight's ride. It lost some of the formatting, but you can get the drift. I'd appreciate your further feedback. And thanks for all your previos suggestions. They were all great ideas. Most of which I'll incorporate into my program.
If we are ever going to make the world a better place we have to make sure that our kids get exposed to the potential and promise of cycling. I think this program is a good way to do that and I’m having a blast doing it.
On out next Saturday ride we are going to stop at a bike shop and the owner will give the boys a lesson in maintenance.
Dear Scouting Parents,
Your son is working on Cycling Merit Badge. This merit badge requires that your son learn about bike safety in traffic, bicycle maintenance, and teamwork among many other related subjects. The requirements for the merit badge can be found at: http://www.meritbadge.com/bsa/mb/039.htm
It is my goal that after completing the requirements of Cycling merit badge your son will be able to safely navigate the roads of our community on his bicycle – riding as vehicle and operating as part of the road traffic. Your son will also gain an improved level of fitness. Cycling 50 miles is a great accomplishment for a young man. As a cyclist you learn to be highly aware of the various traffic situations that could cause you harm. I believe that learning these skill will contribute to eventually making your son a safer car driver.
We have ridden about 80 miles as a group so far and I have had some time to make a few observations. Some of your son’s cannot keep up with the group. Cycling Merit Badge is designed for boys to learn to ride long distances. Mountain bikes are not the best choice for this kind of riding, but they are capable of going this distance if they are well adjusted and properly maintained. The boys that are having trouble keeping up have a variety of mechanical issues. I have listed your son’s bike’s issues below. Poor maintenance, heavy mountain bikes, and under inflated knobby tires rob your son of energy and may not allow him to complete the requirements of this merit badge.
I can help you and your son fix the majority of bicycle problems. Please make an appointment with me to help you and your son to learn to adjust his bicycle. Plan to spend from 1 to 4 hours with us per bicycle. Alternatively, take his bike by one of our two local bicycle stores. Tell them that you are with the Troop 45 Cycling Merit Badge program. They are aware of our program and will help you to the best of their ability. But do expect to pay for their valuable services.
Additionally, some of your sons need to start wearing “high visibility” clothing. Wearing bright colors when biking gives our group that extra safety edge. Black or navy blue “hoodies” and blue jeans are a recipe for disaster. Remember not all the drivers on our roads have good eyesight, fast reflexes or are attentive. In addition to a well-adjusted bicycle, high visibility clothing, your child needs a few support accessories. They are listed on the back of this sheet.
Here is a list of the problems I found with your son’s bike:
Nothing – this bicycle is in good shape.
Front rims out of true
Rear rim out of true
Front tire bad and/or valve stem not straight
Rear tire bar and/or valve stem not straight
Front derailleur (shifter) out of adjustment
Rear derailleur (shifter) out of adjustment
Front brakes out of adjustment
Rear brakes out of adjustment
The drive chain needs cleaning, lubrication, or replacement
The seat needs adjustment
Other ______________________________________________________
Starting in April 1, 2004 I will have to insist that your son show up with a working bicycle and the required accessories. We will be traveling too fast and too far to keep fixing a few problem bicycles. Call me at XXX-XXXX if I can be of any assistance or answer any questions.
Respectfully,
My Name - Assistant Scoutmaster and Cycling Merit Badge Councilor
Return by April 1, 2004
Parent’s Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________________________
PS - Parents are encouraged to join us on our rides. We promise to take it easy on you and we can accommodate all levels of fitness. It is a great from of low impact exercise and you will be surprised how quickly your fitness level increases.
Required Items to take on every ride:
1. A bicycling helmet that fits
2. Water or sports drinks
3. A spare inner tube or 2 that fits your bicycle
4. A set of tire tools
5. An inner tube patch kit
6. A Crescent wrench or Allen wrench to remove your tires if you don’t have quick releases
7. White Headlight – Required on evening rides
8. Blinking Rear Red Taillight – Required on evening rides
Suggested Items to take on every ride:
9. Bicycling gloves – you’ll need these on the longer rides
10. Warm bicycling clothing when it is cold
11. Cool bicycling clothing when it is warm
12. A seat bag to hold your tools, tubes and patch kit
13. A map if you don’t know where you are going. A city map will work just fine for the under 25 mile rides. These can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce for free.
14. A zip lock bag to keep your ride log sheet in.
Optional Items to take on every ride:
15. A cycling computer to determine distance and speed
16. Some money to buy a sports drink at the halfway point of the ride
17. Some money to call home if your bike breaks
18. Spoke wrench
19. Camel Back full of whatever for the long rides or extra bottles
20. Energy Bars – Especially on the long rides
21. A camera
22. Panniers (saddle bags) for the 50 mile ride
23. A cell phone
24. Walkie-Talkies - These are good for large group rides.
Be Prepared! - Pack like you might have to repair your bicycle by yourself out in the middle of nowhere!
Ride Bicycles and Fitness Equipment
2320 North Belt Highway
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
Phone: (816) 233-1718
Store Hours
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Forces of Nature Cycling and Outdoors
1116 Frederick Ave.
St. Joseph, MO 64501
Phone: (816)-279-1500
Store Hours
Monday through Friday, 10a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Sundays