Kiersten, age 11, talks about what she's been learning through the Community Bicycle Center's youth development programs.

1. CommunityBicycieCenter
Kiersten Cyphers Hauschild
Community Bicycle Center
Bike to School is so much fun, because I get to go and I get to be with a "supervising guardian"
that makes me feel safer and helps me learn more about biking. Like before, I used to ride on the
sidewalk or ride on the wrong side of the lane - meaning, I'd be going against traffic and not be wearing
a helmet. I was careless about my safety. Through our group bike rides like girls' group, Bike to School,
and group ride, I learned how to ride safe. It makes me feel safer and since I like to be around a lot of
people, I get excited every Wednesday. I'm like YAY YAY YAY, it's Bike to School! -I get to see my
friends!
If it wasn't for CBC, I would have gotten hit by a car. I didn't used to use my hand signals and I
confused cars before I learned how to ride safe. I knew I was confusing cars because I would just take
the lane and wouldn't look back. I used to get honked at a lot if I was on a public road and not using
hand signals. After a while I was like, what was I doing wrong?? Then you guys [CBC] showed me hand
signals and that is when I realized that is what I was doing wrong ...an "AHA" moment ... Cars didn't know
if I was going left or right slowing down, but now I can actually look back and see if it's all clear for me to
go, and to take the lane. If I am turning left, I put out my left hand and if I'm slowing or stopping I put
my hand down and open.
And I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the CBC because I probably would have been
hurt by a car and wouldn't be able to ride. But now I actually know how to do things, even though when
I do the right thing sometimes cars still honk at me! It makes me think that maybe that driver doesn't
bike, but I do and at least I know the Rules of the Road.
I wanted to volunteer during Bike Doctor because I wanted to see people in the community and
meet new people and make new friends, and fix up bikes! Just have FUN! It feels great to help people
because they're learning and I'm learning from Woodie, and Andrew, and especially from myself! I
might even want to do the Trek. One of my favorite things is to see full bike racks!!
I would just be sitting home doing nothing and being bored if the CBC wasn't here for me after
school! Everything at CBC is my favorite program.
Let's have a bike partttayy!!