($10,000 DR100 donation):

There is a current High School Drivers Ed program at Turner Ashby High School, created and implemented solely by Ms. Cindy Ferek, a National Teacher of the Year Recipient, that requires the Driver’s Ed students to learn to drive by first using bicycles, before getting behind the wheel of a car.  This program has incredible interest to the DR100 as it is a grass roots advocacy bike safety program that trains our upcoming vehicular drivers to understand proper driving skills when interacting with bicyclists on the road as well as how to safely bicycle on public roads.  The students actually ride bicycles on public roads and learn how to safely navigate using a certified BikeSmart manual.  The DR100 has researched this program and has approved a large amount of funding set aside to expand this program to all Rockingham County Public High Schools, pending County Board of Education/Administration approval.  The funds will be used to properly train and certify the Driver’s Ed Administrators/Teachers as well as purchase properly equipped bicycles that include lights, helmets and other reflective safety items.

Cindy Ferek’s Drivers Ed Bike Trip from Shenandoah Bicycle on Vimeo.
National Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Cindy Ferek of Turner Ashby High School created an experiential education element to the driver’s education program using cycling as a hands on tool for learning traffic safety and rules. Enjoy this quick video about the cycling trip they took to the C&O canal in April of 2012.