Bike Rodeo gives away helmets, teaches safety

Bicycle safety, at any age, is an important factor for those of us that love riding through the borough on two wheels.

For the youth of Wrangell, however, bicycle safety becomes a more important factor based on how difficult it can be to see smaller children – and on their relative inexperience in navigating the roads in the borough.

That’s where the annual Bicycle Rodeo and safety training comes in.

The event, which was held this year at the covered area near Evergreen Elementary School, offered a number of workstations to teach safety, and an obstacle course to help young riders learn what to look out for while on their bikes.

Event organizer Dorothea Rooney said the toddlers to young teens taking part in the event learned proper techniques on riding and the use of safety gear.

“We’re here to promote bike safety and we were able to do this with money raised by the Youth Court last year, that helped with the helmets a lot,” Rooney said. “We try to give them instruction on proper riding.”

Participants also received helmets to use while riding their bicycles. Helmets are also available year-round at the Wrangell Police Department for parents in need of this most important piece of safety equipment. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, bicycle helmets reduce the risk of serious head and brain injury by as much as 85 percent.

In addition to teaching the proper way to fit and wear their helmet, the riders were able to register their bicycles with the borough – a move that could protect bike owners in the event their gear is ever stolen.

“Registering is a very good idea because we give them licenses and that can help police locate their bikes if they’re ever taken,” she added.

Wrangell resident Victoria Ingram was at the rodeo to help teach proper hand signals and other aspects of riding in traffic-prone situations.

“I am teaching general bike safety and turn signals when they are out on the road,” Ingram said. “A lot of kids need to learn about the rules of the road so they don’t get hurt.”

For more information on bicycle safety for young Wrangellites, call Rooney at 874-3304.