New Wheels for Greenbrier County Physical Education Classes - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

New Wheels for Greenbrier County Physical Education Classes

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LEWISBURG -

Greenbrier County middle schools are introducing new wheels to the physical education curriculum.

A physical education program grant, and only the second one West Virginia has ever provided, is allowing physical education teachers to incorporate lifetime wellness programs into their classes.

The grant will pay for the county to have 40 mountain bikes for students to take on a different approach to physical activity.

"It's the kind of activity that allows kids some freedom. They get to go places, see things, do things, get out on the trail. It's just very empowering to be on a bike and to go under your own pedal power. For a lot of kids, that's kind of something they're really craving so they really enjoy it," said Kristen Dieffenbach, an elite cycling coach and assistant professor at West Virginia University.

Physical education teachers went through an all-day training to learn how to teach bike maintenance and bike safety in their courses.

Before the end of the school year, students will be able to ride bikes during physical education class and also take advantage of after school trail rides for free.