What's Right With Our Schools: First bike riding team at Hayes K-8

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Birmingham schools now have their first mountain bike riding team.

School leaders unveiled the program at the Hayes K-8 School and the bikers had their first practice Monday. Those bikers are peddling because a number of people stepped up to make it possible.

It started as a wish, but now it's real. Biking teams are rolling from middle and high schools all over Alabama and coach Wayne Jackson wanted a team for his students.

"Sometimes it can be hard to share these experiences with them because of the barriers and the financial aspects of it.  But that was something the community was able to reach in and help us out with," Jackson explained.

The community came through in a big way. Mentors with years of biking experience showed up.

But just as important, business partners showed up with a check. GPS Educational Services brought $4,000, money to purchase bikes that cost around $600 a piece and GPS promises to do more.

"Our biggest service is our community awareness," said Talbis Howell with GPS.

Helmets were provided by Cory Watson Attorneys.

"Cory Watson has been donating helmets to children for the past five years and we're just really supportive of the kids in our community promoting health and wellbeing," said Alyssa Daniels with Cory Watson Attorneys.

The group is working to help other children get bike helmets free of charge.

"I'm really thankful," Tavaria Jackson said. "The fact that they come here. I'm pretty sure there are other schools that want this and they came here for us. We are the first Birmingham City School to have this. I think it's great, excellent."

There is no telling where they will go from here.

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