Pueblo de San Ildefonso

The San Ildefonso Youth Cycling Program will be initiated in coordination with the Department of Education’s After-School Program and the Summer Program. It will provide bicycle safety and skills education, hands-on maintenance training, and supervised rides to community destinations within the Pueblo. Grant funds will supply bicycles, helmets, and maintenance tools, along with instruction in road safety, cycling skills, sustainable transportation, and bicycle care. Bike maintenance, safety skills, and navigation planning will be delivered by outside experts to ensure both staff and youth can properly operate and maintain the bicycles for long-term sustainability of the program. The program will also integrate biking into cultural practices, arts and language programming. Rides will incorporate ecology, land-based knowledge, and traditional healing shared by local educators and cultural bearers. Cultural storytelling, art, and intergenerational learning will aim to support Tribal identity and strengthen community bonds. North Central NM Economic Development District is partnering with the Pueblo under a Safe Streets for All award to deliver a pilot Safe Routes to School initiative. The pilot will be incorporated into the Youth Cycling Program to encourage active transportation to school through cycling, providing road infrastructure and route planning for youth. Better Bike Bureau will contribute expertise with a League Certified Instructor and Park Tools Certified bicycle mechanic, providing educational sessions in bicycle safety, flat tire repair, and preventative maintenance. The Cycling Program will meet at the San Ildefonso Learning Center twice a week during the scheduled Summer Program and After-School Program hours. Community rides will be led by the Transportation Planning Manager, an experienced cyclist, and supported by 3 program aides. Support will be provided by the Healthy Kids Coordinator and After-School/Summer School Coordinator. The program will meet throughout the year, continuing beyond the conclusion of the grant. The beneficiaries of the program are youth from San Ildefonso Pueblo. Targeted outreach will include youth enrolled in the Summer Program, After-School Program, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities. Goals & Objectives The Cycling Program will promote healthy lifestyles among youth through organized cycling activities that will increase fitness and outdoor recreation. The educational components and provided equipment will enhance safety awareness and technical skills for youth. The supervised excursions will create familiarity with safe routes to community destinations including schools and outdoor recreation sites to increase mobility and transportation access, improving confidence and independence in tribal youth. The Program provides an opportunity to educate youth about environmental stewardship and low emissions transportation while incorporating culturally relevant themes. Impacts The program will have lasting impacts on the broader community as youth engage family members and peers in outdoor recreation activities. It is anticipated that there will be increased youth participation in school and community activities as a result of increased mobility. Youth will have a measurable improvement in cycling knowledge, safety skills, and physical activity. The program will provide mentorship connecting youth with positive adult role models to strengthen community cohesion. A sustainable model for youth transportation will be created by the program, encouraging replication by other tribal communities.