Station __: Scanning and Moving Left

Why do this? Moving left without looking back is a major cause of serious bike/car accidents. Most third graders can master the skill of scanning without swerving after a few minutes of practice.

Note: this is only the first part of learning how to turn left. In addition to scanning, a safe left turn involves moving left in the traffic lane and checking for on-coming as well as cross traffic.

Station Leader Instructions

• Have students leave their bikes in line and come up to the starting point. Be sure that those without helmets feel included and are paying attention (they walk through the course and practice the skills).
• Before explaining what students will be doing at this station, ask: "Suppose you are riding a bike and suddenly there's broken glass or a branch blocking your way. What would you do?"
  • Respond to answers like "go around" or "signal" by asking: "What's the first thing you do anytime you're moving out into a street?" (Answer: Check for cars.)
  • Emphasize that "scanning" behind is an important safety skill to use every time before moving left - even when just going around a hazard in the bike lane. Have them observe, then practice the secret to riding straight while scanning back: keep shoulders straight and square with the handlebars while looking over your left shoulder.
  • Help them "get" what they're supposed to do by having them practice shouting CAR or NO CAR when a volunteer either shows the car prop or holds it sideways.
• Coordinate your explanation with a demonstrator riding through the course.
  • "First you'll practice scanning back over your left shoulder while continuing to ride straight. Ride normally until your front wheel goes over the word LOOK. Then, look back at the volunteer to see if there's a car coming or not. Let us know what you see - shout CAR or NO CAR." Pause here to watch the demonstrator ...
  • "When you get to the second LOOK, check over your shoulder again to see if it's safe to got to the other side. Shout CAR or NO CAR again, but only go across if it's safe!"
  • "On your way back, you'll find a hazard in the bike lane - but before you go around it, you will need to scan again. Be sure there are no cars before you make your move!"
  • Then have the children get back in line and start through, well spaced. Work out partners for those with helmets but no bikes. You stand at the start of the course and cue them about what they'll be doing.
• On the first pass focus on the critical new skill: scanning back while riding straight. Make sure they shout CAR or NO CAR. Most children will just look at first.
• Be gentle, but remind them to scan and shout at the second LOOK, and protest if they move left before the car prop is hidden. Similarly, the coast should be clear before they go around the obstacle on the return leg of the course.
• On subsequent passes, insist that each cyclist scan at all three spots, then move left only when they see no car behind them. Be sure to tell them at the end that scanning is only the first step in making a safe left turn. Before trying to make left turns on busy streets they need lots of practice!

Volunteer Instructions At least three volunteers are needed at this station. Volunteer demonstrator Serve as a model when the station leader asks kids to practice scanning. Stand with your back to the children, with hands on handlebars. Scan over your left shoulder, holding shoulders straight and square with the handlebars. Cyclists who do this don't swerve while scanning. Then, as the station leader explains what you are doing, model how to ride through the course. Scan when your wheel goes over the chalked word LOOK and then shout CAR or NO CAR depending on what you see. Scan again at the second LOOK and before the obstacle - and don't move left until the coast is clear. Even if you don't have a helmet and bike, demonstrate as if you do - it really helps kids "get" what to do. While children ride through, you stand at the far end of the course to give feedback to the kids. . Be encouraging but also firm, so that they make the connection between what they SEE at the second look (Car or No Car) and what they DO (stop until it's clear, or keep on going). Stop them if they're about to turn in front of a car! Two volunteers with car props Stand at the designated points with car props and assist with the demonstration. Make sure students scan back at the first LOOK mark and before going around the obstacle respectively. Cyclists should not move left into the path of the on-coming car (i.e. if the car prop is showing on their second LOOK or at the obstacle). If they don't scan again and/or move left before the coast is clear, go ahead and ham it up with crash or squealing brake sound effects to emphasize the consequences! Challenge good cyclists by varying whether the coast is clear. Be gentler with others. Discourage peaking by letting them go by you before you hold up or hide your prop.

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Third Grade Bike Safety Day Menu