Enka Intermediate School recently wrapped up its annual bike safety unit with a hands-on learning event that combined physical activity, community service and student leadership. On a sunny fall day in Western North Carolina, fifth- and sixth-grade Enka Intermediate students took to the blacktop and school loop to practice essential bike safety skills alongside student volunteers from Enka High School.
The three-day unit finale provided students an experience that went far beyond a traditional classroom lesson, offering practical, real-world learning through obstacle courses, ramp practice and interactive games designed to build confidence, balance and safety awareness. For many students, this unit served as both a healthful living activity and a valuable life skill they can carry with them beyond the classroom.
Enka High civics literacy students volunteered as part of a community service project aligned with North Carolina s Portrait of a Graduate initiative. Guided by teacher and local mountain bike coach Rebecca McCord, the students returned to a school many of them once attended, reinforcing the importance of civic responsibility and community engagement.
"Civics literacy is about being a good citizen and serving your community," McCord said. "This lets students give back to a place they came from. It s kind of a full-circle moment for them."
Throughout the event, high school volunteers encouraged younger students, modeled perseverance and kindness, and provided hands-on coaching. For some Enka Intermediate students, the experience also marked their first successful solo bike rides. The high school student volunteers worked patiently to help students overcome fear, celebrate progress and experience the joy of mastering a new skill.
"It felt great just to see a kid finally break through and ride a bike and overcome that fear," said Thomas, an Enka High 10th grader. "I just kept motivating him and helping where he struggled until he did it."
At Enka Intermediate School, bike safety is more than an informational video or classroom lesson; it s an active, engaging experience rooted in real-world application and community connection. By partnering with Enka High School students, the unit not only strengthened safety skills and physical wellness for younger learners, but also provided older students with meaningful opportunities to serve and lead.
Through hands-on learning, peer mentorship and outdoor activity, the bike safety unit reflects the power of schools working together to support student growth at every level. It s a reminder that education thrives when students are engaged, communities are connected and learning extends beyond the classroom.