Cycling Club Started

Sophomore Stefano Byer has had a passion for biking since he was 7, when his dad taught him how to ride a bike. This year, Byer plans on pushing his hobby to the next level by starting East’s first cycling club.

On some days, the cycling club, open for anyone to join, will meet before or after school for quick rides around the East area. On other days, the club plans on locations such as Shawnee Mission Park to ride “green ways”, paved roads for bicycles that are used to travel from park to park in the city.

Byer has decided to encourage people new to bicycling to join by separating the club into two groups.

“I’ll be the captain of the Lance Armstrong group, and we’ll go a little bit faster I guess,” Byer said. “[Sophomore] Max [Blanchard] will be the captain of the Rosie O’Donnell group.”

After riding around with his friends for 8 years, Byer decided to start the club to branch out in biking.

“I didn’t want just a group of friends riding around anymore.” Byer said. “I made it official.”

The club was initially going to be sponsored by Geometry teacher Mrs. Yemm. However, after hearing about liability issues from Principal Karl Krawitz, Yemm backed down. Byer then asked Mrs. Vanice to replace her.

In order to protect the school in case members of the club sustain injuries, Krawitz has enforced liability forms that each member must sign before joining the club.

“Most clubs in the school don’t do stuff in the road, while we have the chance of getting hit by a car, or just falling down,” Byer said. “[Krawitz] just wants to keep the school from getting sued.”