If you work from home, or have a work schedule that is flexible, the Bikes In the School (BITS) program and an eager kid could use you. There is an immediate need for volunteers at Samuel Tucker Elementary School, in Alexandria’s West End. Future needs this fall for six other schools will be announced when they are ready.

Please email us if you want to help: 

• Kristin Donley, ACPS, kristin.donley[at]acps.k12.va.us

• Randy Cole, BPAC – Education, randy.cole.n1[at]gmail.com

Below are instructions on how to become a volunteer and expectations. The background check and ID card takes several days, but we can still use you while it is in process. 

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Volunteer Preparation & Expectations  

Volunteering requires at least one hour, sometimes up to 1 ½ hours depending on bike setup, during a school day. Volunteering consists of setting out bikes, preparing bikes for the kids to ride, teaching kids and putting the bikes back. Here’s a brief video for volunteers aka “Bike Buddies”. 

Here’s how to volunteer: 

1. Apply for an ACPS background check and Volunteer ID Card. Note: The process to get a card takes several days. We just need you to have the application submitted. 

• For Question 3 School Preferences, select ‘All’
• For Question 4 Functions, Select ‘Physical Education’
• For Question 5 Organizations on Behalf of Which you are Volunteering, put BPAC
• Read and sign the Code of Conduct 

Review the online tutorial video depicting the basics of bikes, helmets, etc. It is best to use the same terminology for explaining bikes as the tutorial to avoid confusing the kids. After the video, complete the google form to check your understanding of the topics.

3. Other bike education opportunities are also pending for the schools below.  Please contact us for details on specific schools.

• Naomi Brooks
• John Adams
• James K. Polk
• Patrick Henry Middle
• George Mason
• Charles Barrett