National Bike Month: Potential activities for units to engage Scouts

May has rolled in and with it – National Bike Month, a time to celebrate the benefits of cycling. This presents a fantastic opportunity to engage Scouts in activities that promote health, environmental consciousness, and community involvement. Here are seven initiatives councils or units may undertake during National Bike Month: 

Organize Bike Safety Workshops: Safety should always come first. Packs, troops, and crews can arrange workshops focusing on bike safety, covering topics like helmet usage, proper signaling, and road awareness. Collaborating with local biking organizations or police departments can enhance the credibility and effectiveness of these workshops. 

Trail Maintenance Projects: National Bike Month is an excellent occasion to give back to the community. Units can coordinate trail maintenance projects, ensuring that biking trails are safe and enjoyable for all users. This not only fosters a sense of civic duty but also promotes environmental stewardship among Scouts. 

Scenic Bike Rides: Explore the beauty of nature while promoting physical activity by organizing scenic bike rides. Whether it’s through local parks or along picturesque trails, these rides can be both recreational and educational, offering Scouts the chance to appreciate the outdoors while learning about conservation efforts in their area. 

Cycling Merit Badge Clinics: National Bike Month provides an ideal backdrop for councils to host merit badge clinics focused on cycling. These clinics can cover the requirements for the Cycling merit badge, offering Scouts the opportunity to develop their biking skills under the guidance of experienced instructors. 

Bike Safety Demonstrations: Coordinate interactive bike safety demonstrations at local schools or community events. Scouts can showcase proper biking techniques, emphasize the importance of safety gear, and engage participants in hands-on activities that promote safe cycling practices. 

Environmental Awareness Campaigns: Use National Bike Month as a platform to raise awareness about environmental issues related to transportation. Councils can organize campaigns highlighting the ecological benefits of cycling, such as reduced carbon emissions and decreased traffic congestion, inspiring Scouts and community members to choose sustainable modes of transportation. 

Family Bike Rodeos: Cub Scout packs can host family-friendly bike rodeos featuring skill-building activities and fun challenges for both Scouts and their families. These events can include obstacle courses, slow races, and bike decorating contests, encouraging families to bond over shared outdoor experiences while promoting biking as a healthy and enjoyable activity. The newly updated Cub Scout program launching on June 1, 2024 also includes a cycling related elective adventure for every rank!

National Bike Month offers councils & units a wealth of opportunities to engage Scouts in meaningful activities that promote health, safety, environmental awareness, and community involvement. By embracing initiatives like bike safety workshops, trail maintenance projects, and family bike rodeos, you can empower Scouts to become responsible cyclists and active stewards of their communities. Let’s pedal into National Bike Month with a commitment to promoting the joys of biking for Scouts and communities alike.