What Is a Traffic Garden? A Safe Next Step for Young Riders in the All Kids Bike Program
A traffic garden—sometimes called a bike skills park—is a miniature, child-scaled replica of real-life streets designed to help kids safely learn the rules of the road through hands-on experience. These environments typically include:
- Small-scale roads and bike paths
- Stop signs, yield signs, and crosswalks
- Intersections, roundabouts, and traffic lights
- Painted lane markings and directional arrows
Why Traffic Gardens Matter for Kids
For children learning to ride a bike—especially those in the All Kids Bike program—a traffic garden offers the perfect next step after mastering balance and pedaling. These spaces allow young riders to:
- Practice navigating roads and intersections in a safe, low-risk setting
- Learn about road signs, right-of-way, and safe stopping
- Build confidence and spatial awareness before riding on sidewalks or trails
- Develop essential bike-handling and safety skills
How Traffic Gardens Align with All Kids Bike
The All Kids Bike program teaches kids to ride confidently in their school’s PE class using balance-to-pedal methods. A traffic garden takes that foundation and expands it, offering:
- Real-world practice for children to apply what they’ve learned
- Opportunities for schools and communities to extend bicycle education beyond PE
- A way to engage families and build safe biking habits together
Community Impact
When installed at schools, parks, or community centers, traffic gardens also serve as public spaces for safety education, bike rodeos, and family bike events. They’re fun, colorful, and designed to empower kids with the knowledge they need to ride smart and ride safe.