The Bicycle Mobile Classroom (bike safety trailer) operates as part of Missouri's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) at Missouri S&T in Rolla. It offers 20 bikes in various sizes, ranging from small children’s bikes to adult-sized bikes, along with helmets and cones to create riding courses. This service is provided free of charge. Ron Effland, the creator of the trailer and its training program before his retirement from MoDOT, continues to offer training through LTAP. The trailer is also available for schools to borrow for their own use.

Originally designed as a bicycle and pedestrian safety program for middle school students, the trailer and classroom program has expanded to include elementary schools for PE-Health lessons, focusing on fun, exercise, and teamwork. The trailer’s bike inventory includes everything from preschool striders and 12"-16" bikes with training wheels to 18", 20", and 24" bikes, adult-sized 26" bikes, and balance bikes or trikes for students with special needs. Additionally, it is equipped with maintenance tools, cones, event perimeter tape, and small road signs for setting up skills courses.

Helmets are required for all participants. While we encourage participants to bring their own bikes and helmets, we will check bike fit and perform a quick safety inspection before they enter the skills course. For those who don't have their own bikes or helmets, the trailer's fleet is available for loan so everyone can participate.

Ron can set up the program in a space as small as a basketball court, but a larger area allows for more skills activities and accommodates a larger number of participants. Ideally, Ron will need 3-4 volunteers to assist at the helmet station and another group to manage the event stations. The setup is adaptable to fit the available space and the expected number of participants.