Bicycle safety was the focus of a presentation organized by Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) on May 28.
The session was held via Zoom in partnership with the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, as part of Bicycle Safety Week in Saskatchewan. Guest speaker Cara Zukewich, the child injury prevention program co-ordinator at the SPI, shared information on how to be safe while biking.
Among the topics covered were helmets, rules of the road, the proper bike fit and safety tips for riding.
About 90 young people were registered for the Zoom session. Everyone who participated received a bike safety kit courtesy of SPI.
Aimee Haralson, who is the co-ordinator for SWIS in Estevan and Weyburn, said the clinic was for students in kindergarten to Grade 12, and parents of younger children who might need guidance during the discussion and demonstration.
The youths were asked to have bikes and helmets handy as part of the training.
“I’m happy but I’m not surprised with the registrations,” said Haralson. “Each time we do have events, we actually do get quite a bit.”
SWIS always works hard to make sure the learning sessions are a success, she said.
This was the first time that SWIS has held a presentation on bicycle safety, but they would like to have them more often.
“It’s always information that children of whatever age (need),” said Haralason. “That’s why we have opened it to everybody who loves to bike. We always look after their safety.”
This is a topic that she believes was needed because kids love to ride their bikes. When she has meetings with students of different age levels, they talk about activities they want to do, and they often cite cycling.
And it was a perfect time because May 28 was near the end of Bike Safety Week in Saskatchewan.
Jamielle Montecillo won a draw for a new bicycle, helmet and bell.
SWIS supports the children of newcomers from kindergarten to Grade 12, and has another employee who helps those in Grade 11 and 12 with their transition to post-secondary education and employment.
Haralson noted this presentation was open to everyone and not just children of newcomers.
