ESD 113 Launches Regional Bicycle Education Program
![A line of bright orange and green bikes lined up next to a blue and green bike trailer.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778266110/esd113org/enu3f2g2nuqwhaupfhl6/BikeEdsm.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778266110/esd113org/enu3f2g2nuqwhaupfhl6/BikeEdsm.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778266110/esd113org/enu3f2g2nuqwhaupfhl6/BikeEdsm.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778266110/esd113org/enu3f2g2nuqwhaupfhl6/BikeEdsm.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778266110/esd113org/enu3f2g2nuqwhaupfhl6/BikeEdsm.png","width":1600}])
Imagine you’re flying down the road, wind in your face, spokes turning, music blasting, enjoying the freedom of riding your very own bicycle down to the library or the corner store for the first time. Many 3rd–5th-graders throughout our region can now make this dream a reality thanks to the opportunities provided by ESD 113’s Bicycle Education Program.
Through a state grant program funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation in conjunction with Cascade Bicycle Club and the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD), ESDs across the state have been gradually adding Bicycle Education since 2023. The class, taught during PE, features the Let’s Go Bicycle Education Program and aims to teach students pedestrian and bike safety, riding skills, and more.
“Having the skills to bike creates a lot of access for these students—for school events, sports, extracurriculars, and going to the library,” said Graeme Smith, regional specialist for Bicycle Education. “Students having transportation and access is a huge benefit for the whole community.”
ESD 113 launched its Bicycle Education Program in January 2026, hiring Graeme Smith to lead it. Smith, a teacher and lifelong bike enthusiast, thought the job was a dream come true.
In just over four months, more than 1,000 students in the Centralia and Aberdeen school districts have received the training. By the end of the program, almost 100% of participating students are able to ride a bike.
“Twenty percent of the students who participate learn to ride a bike for the first time in this program,” Smith said, “In other words, 1 in 5 students are learning to ride from this three-week curriculum, which is amazing.”
The program provides curriculum, bikes, helmets, training, and support to PE teachers throughout their unit, at no cost to the school. This includes adaptive bikes, indoor and outdoor courses, and other supports that make sure all students are included, no matter the school's circumstances, student population, or Washington’s unpredictable weather.
Many of our students live in rural areas without sidewalks or other safety features. The information provided through the curriculum is invaluable to keeping students safe.
“Kids are going to ride their bikes no matter what,” Smith said. “So it's even more important that they get this education in the more rural areas—there are schools where the road to the school is basically a highway.”
Aberdeen and Centralia are just the beginning. By 2039, AESD hopes that 90% of Washington’s students will have received the bicycle education curriculum. Smith knows it will be a big undertaking to coordinate with ESD 113’s 44 school districts, but he’s excited about all the possibilities.
“What students need to go outside is something that's fun,” Smith said. “They need to be with friends. They need access to the beautiful places in our community and the fun events.”
ESD 113’s Bicycle Education Program ensures opportunities for independence and fun are available to more students in our region than ever before.
Contact Graeme Smith or visit the Bicycle Education webpage to learn more about enrolling your school in this free program. We’re part of the Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program, an AESD Network initiative.