Education
Youth en Route offers curriculum- based programming in Calgary and area schools.
Our goal is to empower youth with the skills and knowledge to choose a bike as transportation. While we can tailor programs to meet just about any learning outcome, our specialty is high school physical education classes and a cycling unit fits into learning outcomes for each grade level. In high school, youth are keen for independence and have the maturity to know that bikes are toys, but tuned equipment that can take them places.
Across the city, 6.5% of high school students have never been on a bike. It’s as high as 11 per cent at some schools. Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage – we want every youth to experience. It’s also a life skill – that can help youth get jobs, go to school or get around without the cost of a car or transit pass – which is a burden many young people.
Typical programs
Two wheels, a helmet and youth keen to go places. Our typical programs reached over 4,000 students in 2024-25. Students learn to balance and control the bike, how to use brakes safely and how to choose gears to optimize energy, speed and manage hills. Over the course of 4-5 classes youth also get to understand urban planning for cycling, traffic calming measures to improve safety, where to find routes and how to map a ride as well as basic bike maintenance to keep their wheels on the road. Over the course of the week, students will ride across fields, play games and go on a short community ride.
Adaptive programs
For special education students, riding a bike is so much more than recreation.
We’ve had students who never participated in gym class until they got on a trike. Or ones that wouldn’t leave the safe confines of a wheelchair, unless it was to pedal around the gym. It’s physical therapy, behaviour regulation and so much more. They may also be the only independent form of transportation open to the student.
The smiles are huge.
Winter biking
So many people think that riding a bike in winter is only for the brave, or the foolish. Our winter biking program show kids that it is for anyone. If you’re taking the bus, and it’s late, you’ll be cold standing still. But if you’re on a bike, getting some exercise, you’ll be a bit warmer and you may even get to your destination faster.
Besides, Calgary the Chinook City, with so many warm days that clear the pathways and make biking downright fun!
Geared to more experienced cyclists in Outdoor Leadership or Grade 11-12 Phys Ed, our winter biking uses bikes with studded tires. Youth get the sense of how to pedal safely in different pathway and road conditions. It’s fun, and exhilarating. And we try to include hot chocolate afterwards.