On Monday night, self-proclaimed “bike advocate” Bonne DeSousa asked the Mattapoisett School Committee to support cycling.

“Empowerment is the first step towards leadership,” she said. “There are few things as empowering for kid as bikes.”

DeSousa, the president of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, said bike safety and advocacy are important, and that she would like to see the committee support any cycling initiatives presented.

“My hope is that when a responsible, bike-related proposal comes before you that you will encourage the sponsors,” DeSousa said.

She said people can be injured while cycling, but that it has much fewer injuries than football in schools and can be made safer still by reinforcing “best bike practices.”