New FSE bike rack offers places to park
(Photo courtesy REBECCA HOLLAND/ALL-STAR PHOTO) Angels Over Sandpoint Board members Paula Marcinko, Carolyn Sorentino and Dona Fuller, pose with Farmin-Stidwell principal Erik Olson, SHS student-welder, Tanner Kohal; and SHS welding instructor Jake Stark after Kohal created the new bike rack for the Sandpoint elementary school.
There’s a new place for bicycle riders to park their rides when they head to school at Farmin Stidwell Elementary in Sandpoint.
Funded by an Angels Over Sandpoint grant, recent Sandpoint High School graduate Tanner Kohal fabricated a metal bike frame in his SHS welding shop class and created two end panels at Makerpoint to credit Angels Over Sandpoint and SHS welding.
The bright red rack, which will secure 20 bikes, was built to the city of Sandpoint’s new bike parking standards that gives 36 inches of comfortable space between the bars with two points of contact to keep bicycles upright. The open location at school was chosen for easy access and visible security in front of classroom windows.
Lake Pend Oreille School District is encouraging student in Sandpoint to learn the “rules of the road” and develop their cycling skills so they can safely ride to school next fall, said Rebecca Holland. Studies show that children who cycle develop active minds, strong physical health and positive self-reliance, she added.
Those interested, can go online to Farmin-Stidwell Elementary’s website at fs.lposd.org to view the city’s “Explore Sandpoint!” map of primary bike routes and their “Safe Routes to School” safety information.