NORTHFIELD — On a drizzly Thursday afternoon, 10 boys and girls excitedly hopped onto shiny black and red bicycles, clipped on their silver helmets and pedaled away from Pioneer Valley Regional School.
Pioneer is one of eight middle schools across the country selected by the Specialized Foundation’s Riding for Focus grant program to receive 30 new bikes. According to the foundation’s website, the nonprofit organization supports research that investigates how aerobic exercise — specifically, cycling — can become an integral part of a comprehensive treatment program for children suffering from attention deficit problems.
Pioneer was selected in June from an original pool of about 200 schools, and started using its 30 bikes, helmets, a starter maintenance kit and program curriculum this fall.
“The focus of it is for the kids to have some kind of sustained physical activity every day,” said Pioneer guidance counselor Peggy Fallon. Fallon, guidance counselor Matt Soycher and school psychologist Alyssa Blum are spearheading the new bike program, which has now wrapped up for the winter, but will resume in warmer weather next year.
Fallon said the program quickly proved popular, especially with students who aren’t interested in organized sports, but still want to be outside.
Soycher estimated there were more than 30 participants between the four class periods Thursday and Friday, and the after school program Thursday. Only middle schoolers will provide data for the Specialized Foundation, but Fallon said the after school program is open to all students, grades 7 though 12.
“I feel like it’s really picked up,” Fallon said.
Blum originally heard about the program through a Facebook post, and the three submitted Pioneer’s application this spring. After learning Pioneer was selected, Blum and Fallon attended a Specialized Foundation training seminar in California, where they learned about bike safety, the program curriculum and how to collect data using Fitbit activity trackers, which each child wears while riding.
Fallon said the grant cycle is set for two years, however she, Blum and Soycher hope to continue to build the program. By collecting data regarding grades, attendance, focus in class and overall student perception of school, the three faculty members and the Specialized Foundation can learn more about the effects of cycling. Given the scientific data available through the Specialized Foundation, Fallon expects participants — both those who struggle with attention deficit problems and those who don’t — to find more success in school.
“If students are connected to something, they’ll be more connected socially and academically,” Fallon said.
Before embarking on their recent Thursday ride, the students explained cycling hand signals to a new participant. Despite drizzly weather conditions, the excitement to hit the road was tangible.
“They want to go all the time,” Blum exclaimed.
Students said they jumped at the opportunity to be active.
“I wanted a chance to exercise every day,” said program participant Gracie Rosenberg, 12, of Erving.
“I kind of just wanted to join it to get outside and do something,” said program participant Robby Kenyon, 12, of Northfield. “I like to be outside and I like bikes.”
Other students recognized the advantages cycling could have on their performance in the classroom.
“I think it’s good for your education to get outside,” said program participant Molly Johnson, 12, of Northfield. “It helps you to focus.”
In the future, Fallon hopes to organize a bike ride that both students and community members could participate in to raise money for college scholarships.