April, 2010

At the beginning of 2010, 31 adults from communities as close as Jamaica Plain, and others including Dorchester, Roxbury, Somerville, and beyond, came to Bikes Not Bombs in search of some sort of community engagement. Although each individual joined the Adult Instructor Training with various backgrounds, interests and experiences, they all were interested in one thing: working with young people!!! Throughout the 10-week training, each week would focus on one skill set that is important to becoming a youth program instructor. We would start with basic mechanics like flat fixing, and hub overhauls, and we’d go as in depth as understanding gear ratios and setting cable tension. Other topics included: understanding different teaching and learning styles, gender sensitivity, and behavior management, all really essential skills to have when working with our youth. While there are many positive reviews of the training, included are quotes from two graduates of the program.

Steve Murphy of South Boston, who is a year-round cyclist, a former Big Brother, and now a trained BNB Youth Program Instructor, describes his experience in the training: “The best part of the instructor training 2010 was that not only did I learn bike mechanics, but also listened to/learned/discussed/shared many opinions on relevant social issues including age, race, gender, and the environment. This is part of the hidden value of BNB."

Another trained Instructor, Johanna Black, a JP resident, who comes to us from Children’s Hospital, talks about how enjoyable her experience here was and the effect our program has on youth participants. “I thoroughly enjoyed the Bikes Not Bombs Adult Instructor Training. It was so refreshing to be amongst likeminded folks and motivated to learn positive, sustainable ways to make change in the community by working with youth in this positive way. I am looking forward to the next adventure working in a collective effort with the youth, youth instructors and adult instructors that I have come to know through the training experience. Your program is a gem!”

The next session of Adult Instructor Training begins August 30th and runs through September 11th. It will be a 2-week intensive training to engage adult volunteers in our Fall Youth Programs here at Bikes Not Bombs. Applications will be available at the beginning of the summer. For more information contact Youth Programs Coordinator, Elijah Evans.

elijah@bikesnotbombs.org, (617) 522-0222 x101