Design a Bike Lane

Summary

Students will:

• Explore careers related to the installation of a new bike lane in an urban environment
• Explore some of the human components involved in transit systems
• Propose the installation of a new bike lane for a local street 

Setting the Stage

Urban planning and design are integral to the ways that we use and interact within our communities. Such activities include a multitude of careers across many disciplines.

Through this activity students will learn about the various careers held by people involved in transit systems, exploring through the lens of the creation and installation of a new bike lane. They will learn that these careers encompass many disciplines, career pathways, as well as post-secondary options. 

Materials & Preparation

• Computers or tablets with internet access (1 per student)
• Design a Bike Lane Assignment Reproducible (1 per student) [Google doc] [PDF] - provide as either paper or e-copy
• Design a Bike Lane Journal Reproducible (1 per student) [Google doc] [PDF] - provide as either paper or e-copy

What To Do

• Teachers could begin this activity by exploring their local roadways with their students, discussing who uses them, how they use them, and how they contribute to the overall flow of traffic within their town or city. This could be done by visiting these locations or by using local maps or Google Maps.
• Teachers should ensure that students are able to identify various components involved in transit systems, both human and mechanical.
• Teachers should organize students into working groups of 3 or 4 and provide each student with a copy of the Design a Bike Lane Assignment. This assignment will be used as a guide for each part of the lesson and allow for the students to pace themselves through the activities.

Part 1

• Teachers could present a municipal or provincial cycling strategy, such as one of the ones below

• Teachers could discuss with students how this will frame their work.
• Students should explore some careers that would be involved in this stage of the process, as indicated on the student assignment. Some students may wish to research additional careers per individual interest.
• Students should answer the questions in Part 1 of the Design a Bike Lane Journal.

Part 2

• Assign students the task of locating a local street that currently does not have a bike lane. This could be done by visiting these locations or by using local maps or Google Maps.
• Students should explore some careers that would be involved in this stage of the process, as indicated on the student assignment. Some students may wish to research additional careers per individual interest.
• Students should answer the questions in Part 2 of the student journal.

Part 3

• Students should explore the various types of bike lanes using the Urban Bikeway Design Guide.
• Students should explore some careers that would be involved in this stage of the process, as indicated on the student assignment. Some students may wish to research additional careers per individual interest.
• Students should answer the questions in Part 3 of the student journal.

Part 4

• Teachers could lead a class discussion about the benefits and concerns around the creation of a new bike lane. Students should examine various viewpoints, considering multiple stakeholders within their community.
• Students should explore some careers that would be involved in this stage of the process, as indicated on the student assignment. Some students may wish to research additional careers per individual interest.
• Students should answer the questions in Part 4 of the student journal.

Part 5

• Teachers could present students with the article “How Bike Lanes Get Installed in Toronto” and lead a discussion about the process of building a bike lane.
• Students should explore some careers that would be involved in this stage of the process, as indicated on the student assignment. Some students may wish to research additional careers per individual interest.
• Students should answer the questions in Part 5 of the student journal.

Part 6

• Students should envision the various uses of their new bike lane, considering multiple stakeholders within their community.
• Students should explore some careers that would be involved in this stage of the process, as indicated on the student assignment. Some students may wish to research additional careers per individual interest.
• Students should answer the questions in Part 6 of the student journal.

Career Exploration

• Students should research one of the careers they learned about that was involved in one or more stages of the process of creating a new bike lane, thinking about the training/schooling they would need to complete to work in this career, and how this career uses STEAM.

Let’s Talk Science appreciates the work and contributions of Greg Ryerson, Crescent School, Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario in the development of this lesson.