April 4, 2023

GRAND MARAIS, MN, April 4, 2023 – Three Walk! Bike! Fun! training events will be held in May and are now accepting free participant registration. Each event will be held at the Cook County MN Community Center Log Cabin at 357 W. 5th Street in Grand Marais, MN.

The Educator Training session will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 8:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) is hosting a FREE local training of the Walk! Bike! Fun! Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Curriculum. Walk! Bike! Fun! encourages more children to walk or bike to school and throughout the community by providing educators with tools to teach them safe walking and biking.

BikeMN is excited to include an Adaptive Toolkit, Tips for Differentiated Learning, Activity Adaptations, and "Learn to Ride" lessons into the curriculum. Educators will find tips and tools to adapt walking and biking for students of all abilities. This curriculum is designed for Special Education teachers, DAPE and physical education teachers, health teachers, regular classroom teachers, other educators, as well as community members. This curriculum meets MN Physical Education Standards and Benchmarks. A $100 educator stipend available upon request. When taught to students, they engage in thoughtful, fun, and interactive lessons to learn safety tips and skills that will last them a lifetime! Registration is free. Please visit:    www.tinyurl.com/WBFeducator.

The event for Ambassador Training sessions will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 6 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ambassadors are parents, teachers, and community members just like you! Ambassadors are integral partners to ensure the continuation of pedestrian and bike safety initiatives, activities and events in Cook County. The Ambassador’s Training Program prepares adults and youth leaders to support and/or lead safe biking & walking programs and activities such as (but not limited to) "Walk to School Day", "Bike Safety Rodeo", and "Walk and Roll Wednesdays". Ambassador training is also recommended for organization or youth groups/camps to reserve the Cook County Safe Routes to School Bike Fleet for events, fieldtrips, or outings. Registration is free. Please visit: www.tinyurl.com/WBFambassador.

The Bike Maintenance Training session will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This event is free, fun, and family friendly. For safety, children ages 12 and under require adult supervision. Participants will learn how your bike works, the names of the parts on your bike, how to change a flat tire, how to adjust and replace brakes, how to fix shifting systems, chain care, what tools and parts you will need and much more. Optional: participants may bring their own bike to practice on. Basic tools will be available for use during the event. Registration is not required but is highly recommended so space needs can be determined. Please visit: www.tinyurl.com/WBFbikefix.

The Walk! Ride! Fun! training events are sponsored by Cook County MN PHHS, MINNESOTA SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) and Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

If you have questions, please contact Kristina Mattson, Cook County MN SHIP Coordinator: [email protected] or Angela Olson, BikeMN Education Coordinator: [email protected].

 

About Cook County, MN 

Cook County encompasses the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; the City of Grand Marais; the Townships of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder; and unincorporated areas in the easternmost part of Minnesota’s North Shore. Cook County Government values transparency and strives to deliver superior services and programs in a fiscally responsible way. We value the dignity of all County residents and seek to create a community that provides opportunity for all. Many of our offices are in the Cook County Courthouse at 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais 55604. Other departments and facilities, such as the Airport, Community Center, Highway and Sheriff are located nearby. Call 218-387-3000 or visit: https://co.cook.mn.us  
             

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Contact:  Todd Ford, Cook County MN Public Information Coordinator,
218-387-3508, [email protected]