New shipment of stationary bikes arrives for Halifax-area schools

HALIFAX – More than 100 stationary bikes are being built in Halifax on Thursday as a program to combat anxiety in the classroom with exercise grows.

Several bikes are currently in place in schools across the Halifax Regional School Board, including at William King Elementary School in Herring Cove, N.S.

Grade two student Colton McAvoy, 7, said he often uses the stationary bike.

“I used to be a really angry boy. People got me angry inside so I need to go on the bike,” he said.

McAvoy rides the bike with a serious look on his face and said the exercise helps him feel in control.

“It takes the anger out and puts the nice stuff in your body. I’m not angry anymore.”

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Fellow student Dylan Casey said she tries to ride the bike in the mornings.

“It gives you good exercise and it’s fun to go on the bike,” she said.

Casey said it helps her deal with pent-up energy.

“You have to get the energy out. You feel better, you’re not frustrated and you can sit better.”

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Primary teacher Leanne Watson said her classroom received a bike last fall and she is already seeing the results.

“It just gives them a change of scenery and a place if they’re frustrated,” she said. “They can calm down or, if they just need a minute to refocus on their work, they can go on the bike for a few minutes and go back to their work.”

Watson said the bikes have changed the dynamic amongst her grade one and two students.

“If you see somebody getting frustrating with something and you ask them to go sit on the bike, you’ll see such a change in their demeanour when they come back to their seat. They’re happier. They’re refreshed.”

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The Sparks Fly campaign helped raise money to bring in 114 new bikes for the school district – 104 will be distributed to elementary schools while 10 bikes will be given to junior and senior high schools.

Volunteers will build the bikes Thursday and plan to deliver the bikes on Friday.

Watson said she’s thrilled the program is expanding in the schools.

“I think self regulation is so important. Just to be able to realize what they’re feeling, to realize maybe they’re frustrated and feeling that they have too much energy … they’re able to recognize that in themselves and they have a place where they can go and relieve that feeling.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think self regulation is so important. Just to be able to realize what they're feeling, to realize maybe they're frustrated and feeling that they have too much energy … they're able to recognize that in themselves and they have a place where they can go and relieve that feeling."