SEPTA Bike Clinic Attracts Dozens
Kids love to ride bikes. So it was with a sense of excitement that about 30 youngsters turned out for the Huntington Special Education Parent Teacher Association's bike clinic on a recent Saturday.
The students ranged in grade from kindergarten to high school. SEPTA volunteers, along with Flower Hill School teacher Melissa DeBruin, Huntington senior Keith Traylor-McKnight and staff members from KIDS Plus, Inc. made sure the needs of all were met.
"It was an exciting day for the children and their parents," said Maria Kiley who chaired the event for SEPTA. "Many children had the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding their bicycles for the first time. Others developed a greater confidence as they conquered their fears and developed basic riding skills."
This marked the second year SEPTA sponsored the bike clinic. "It was a huge success," said Kim Scappaticci, who serves as SEPTA's co-president along with Julie Porzio. "We had so many smiling kids learning to ride for the first time." The students ranged from five to 16 years old.
Many scenes from the day were priceless, according to organizers. For example, there was a high school student who was never particularly interested in learning how to ride a bicycle. She ended up staying for 90 minutes and smiling from ear-to-ear as her parents worked so hard to help her get the hang of it.
KIDS, Plus, a non-profit foundation that promotes "kids in developmental sports," partnered with SEPTA to pull off the fun day. "SEPTA worked hand-in-hand with them," Ms. Scappaticci said. "Maria Kiley chaired this event and worked so hard with the SEPTA board to make this day a huge success."
Folks in attendance at the clinic called it "an amazing day" as children of all ages and ability levels participated. "We had all the kids engaging with their peers and they were all so happy and proud of themselves," Ms. Scappaticci said. "Almost all of them were able to ride when they left and the few that didn't, learned fundamental skills to bring home and continue their journey to learn to ride a bike."
This was the second year SEPTA sponsored the bike clinic. The enthusiastic response has led to a decision to make it an annual event.
SEPTA membership is open to any interested parent. For more information contact the organization at huntingtonsepta@gmail.com.