Hear directly from the youth about their experience during the first week of Positive Spin

Positive Spin has returned to Summer Dreamer’s Academy for its seventh year! The program focuses on providing bicycle safety instruction, civic engagement opportunities, roadside repair skills and a long-distance ride to middle school youth in Pittsburgh Public Schools. Here are a few reflections from the students’ first week of Positive Spin.

“My name is Sincere Slade and my first week of Positive Spin was great. We rode the bikes to many places like the water steps and The Point and we even practiced outside of the school to make sure to learn the turn signals. We also decorated our equipment like water bottles and helmets. Learning how to ride safely on the streets or in public is important. I’m happy to learn about how. After all, I think it’s very fun and enjoyable to be in Positive Spin.” – Sincere Slade

“First Time Riding: First I practice how to get on a bike. I learned how to shift gears. I learned how to use my brakes. I learned how to push on the pedal and keep going and I learned how to keep going and not stop” -Kyreese King

“My first week of Positive Spin was fun. I enjoy it very much. We went places. I saw a lot of things. Positive Spin has kept me active. I saw a lot of trails, animals and bugs (ewwww).” -Janaé Cherry

“The first week I learned how to ride the bike [and it] was my first time riding a bike. I got good at it. Even I like to ride a bike everyday. And you also have to wear a helmet, so you do not have to get hurt. Once I got hurt and I dont want you to get hurt. And you know to use the bike signals.” -Hamadi Muhina

“I want to go across a lot of bridges. We have gone over bridges, but not a lot. We have been going downtown. We got to design our own helmets. I’m learning about gears.” – José

“On my first day here it was okay, but when I got used to it here, I really liked it. I like riding on the bridge, and I like when we went to the Point and the Water Steps. I wonder where we are going next. I think it will be fun.” – Tor

“And on another note, yesterday 7/7/16 was the best day of my life. We rode to the point. It was the highlight of my ride. It was my first time too.” -La’nell Brooks