Comox Valley Schools announces that its School Cycling Program and District Bike Lending Program, developed in partnership with the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition, have received the prestigious Cycling Education Champion Award at HUB Cycling鈥檚 12th Annual Bike Awards.
This marks the first time the Cycling Education Champion Award has been presented to a community outside of Metro Vancouver. The award celebrates the unique and innovative programs that are empowering students across the Comox Valley to gain confidence, skills, and independence through cycling.
鈥淭hese programs are truly one-of-a-kind in Canada,鈥� said Serina Allison, Environmental Sustainability & Outdoor Learning Lead Teacher with Comox Valley Schools. 鈥淭hey go far beyond cycling education. They help shape a culture of cycling, build independence in youth, and foster stronger, healthier, more connected communities.鈥�
Allison was on hand at the awards ceremony in Vancouver to accept the award on behalf of the school district.
Developed through a powerful partnership between Comox Valley Schools and the CVCCo, the School Cycling Program and District Bike Lending Program serve all students across the district in their Grade 4 or 5 year. With more than 1,000 volunteer hours from the CVCCo, the two-day School Cycling Program offers students the opportunity to build confidence, develop safe cycling skills, and gain a lifelong connection to active transportation.
To support equitable access, Comox Valley Schools invested in a mobile bike fleet, complete with a trailer, helmets, skill-building equipment, and a dedicated maintenance plan. The District Bike Lending Program is available to all Comox Valley Schools and is operated by classroom teachers. The district鈥檚 maintenance staff transports the trailer between schools, while students in secondary trades programs perform annual bike repairs, supported by local bike shops.
Educators are also supported through professional learning opportunities, teacher-led lesson plans, and the integration of HUB Cycling鈥檚 ERG45 Learn2Ride program to complement in-class learning.
These programs support a wide range of student outcomes and are aligned with district learning goals in the new strategic plan guiding the district:
Outdoor and Place-Based Learning: Students benefit from experiential outdoor education and gain access to low-cost field trip opportunities.
Environmental Stewardship: Cycling promotes clean air, reduces transportation costs and helps lower school traffic congestion.
Community Engagement: Teaching safe cycling skills fosters safer neighbourhoods and strengthens family and community connections.
Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing: Early cycling experiences help build confidence, resilience, and readiness to learn鈥攑articularly among girls and younger children.
The School Cycling Program and District Bike Lending Program reflect a shared commitment to student health, sustainability, and inclusive learning experiences. This collaborative model of cycling education in our schools highlights what is possible when schools and volunteers come together to create meaningful change.
