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Kids hit the road in summer cycling camp

BRIAN BAKER/TOWN CRIER A HELPING HAND: Instructors Hailey Burton, left, and Colleen Morawetz help Gennavive Marshall, 7, ride her bike over an obstacle during the Pedalheads camp in Trace Manes Park, July 3.
BRIAN BAKER/TOWN CRIER
A HELPING HAND: Instructors Hailey Burton, left, and Colleen Morawetz help Gennavive Marshall, 7, ride her bike over an obstacle during the Pedalheads camp in Trace Manes Park, July 3.

Connor Chase lets out a high-pitched victory cry as he finds the right road sign under a pylon at the Pedalheads Camp in Trace Manes Park.

The 6-year-old is one of hundreds of kids learning the basics of cycling in the 11-week program that builds confidence in kids so they can leave the training wheels behind.

“I already knew it but I’m just practising it more,” Connor said.

Pedalheads started 20 years ago in Vancouver. It set up in Leaside in 2010, and expanded to a dozen locations, including Forest
Hill and Bayview Village.

Ben Hall, the program’s Ontario manager, has seen huge growth in the urban centres, and held the instructors responsible for a nine-in-10 success rate.

Pedalheads teaches toddlers-and-up the rules of the road, balance and even mountain biking.

Last year 1,500 GTA kids learned to ride with them. They’re hoping to hit 5,000 this summer.

The camp is booked for July but has openings for the four weeks in August.

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