WILKIE — Be safe, bike smart. Recognizing safety is a shared responsibility and the Wilkie RCMP partnered with several agencies to hold a bike rodeo for Norman Carter School children May 17.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute declares Bicycle Safety Week May 14-20. In Saskatchewan, between 2004 and 2013, there was an average of 53.9 cycling-related hospitalizations per year for children and youth under 20 years of age. Children ages one to three years experience more cycling-related hospitalizations than any other age group. The most commonly injured body part due to cycling is the upper body which includes shoulders, arms and hands. Head and neck injuries occur 27.4 per cent of the time and of the injuries to the head or neck, the majority were classified as traumatic brain injuries.
The majority of bicycle-related injuries are preventable. Three keys for cycling safety include a properly fitted, approved bicycle helmet, a properly fitted bike as riders should be able to stand flatfooted over the bike with at least one inch of clearance above the top tube. Reflectors or rear and front lights help riders be seen as well as a bell or horn helps alert someone of the cyclist nearby.
Dawnlyn Delainey, office administrator at the Wilkie RCMP office, said their office received an email from SGI regarding a grant to host a bike safety event. Several concerns about children biking had been communicated in social media posts recently.
“We knew there was a need in the community as we had seen or received complaints from concerned citizens regarding the safety of children riding their bikes to and from school,” Delainey said,
“We are incredibly grateful to all the volunteers from COPP and the Wilkie Fire Department that came out they made the day a success.”
Delta Co-op provided juice boxes and cookies for kids and the Town of Wilkie donated the arena surface to use so that weather would not be a factor in hosting the event. SGI helped fund helmet purchases for prizes. The activity involved the majority of Norman Carter School students throughout the afternoon. Thirteen helmets were purchased that were drawn from the names of those who attended.
Delainey said the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute sent an online presentation for those participants to view before attending that included the proper way to adjust, fit and wear bicycle helmets. The students demonstrated the action as part of their participation at the clinic.
Swag bags of goodies and information were provided for children to take home reminding them of bike safety signals and a bike helmet fitting guide.
The afternoon included six obstacle course stations set up for the participants to ride through to demonstrate their safety skills.
“There is always a need for new riders to learn bike safety and it is always good for a refresher for older kids,” Delainey said.
“There has not been an event like this in Wilkie for quite some time.”
Constable Rompre took the lead on setting up the obstacle course and enlisted helpers from the Wilkie RCMP office as well as volunteers from Wilkie Fire Department and Wilkie COPP.
“Our students could not have been more excited,” says principal Jim Shevchuk. The wonderful opportunity that was provided to our entire school was beneficial in so many ways. Many volunteers and community members came together to offer 130 students the chance to learn about safety, physical and mental health as well as the rules of the road.
“Many of our kids need greater opportunities to get outside. The lessons that were shared will really help with that. The instruction in physical co-ordination will assist our students when they ride their bikes on our streets.
“Our children were able to participate in the traffic scenario of the bike rodeo course because of the safety skills that were taught. By the end of each grade’s session, it was very noticeable that there were higher levels of self-confidence and big smiles all around. What a great partnership.”
Shevchuk expresses their staff and school’s appreciation for the efforts of the organizers of this valuable afternoon experience.
There are safety tips and activities on the SPI website Bike and Wheel Safety - Saskatchewan Prevention Institute (skprevention.ca)
