Bicycle Safety Week 2021 is happening this week in the city.
It is an initiative of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute to stop disabling conditions from occurring by eliminating or modifying risk factors, explained Lisa Washington, Community Development Manager with the City at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
Washington was speaking on behalf of the Yorkton Active Transportation Collaborative – YATC.
“Bicycle Safety Week is a week-long event for communities across the province of Saskatchewan to participate in promoting bicycle safety for children and youth,” she said.
“This year, we are encouraging everyone to access resources at the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website – www.skprevention.ca”
This year’s theme is “Ready to Ride”.
Resources cover topics like: rules of the road, arm signals for cyclists, bike maintenance and proper helmet fit. There is even a PowerPoint presentation for parents and other educators, said Washington.
She continued by noting, “YATC remains committed to educating our community about the importance of bike safety and using active transportation responsibly.
“With the nice weather, and because people currently have limited choice for physical activity, we have noticed more people outside walking and biking on our roads, multi-use pathways and sidewalks. We would like to remind residents that safe bike usage falls under our traffic bylaw ... and as such, cyclists are expected to follow the rules of the road, just like motor vehicle drivers ...
“We encourage everyone to get educated and ride safely.”
The Yorkton Active Transportation Collaborative is a partnership that grew out of the Yorkton In Motion Committee.
The purpose of the YATC is to:
· Increase awareness of the community benefits received by providing physically active modes of transportation.
· Increase awareness of the individual benefits received by choosing physically active modes of transportation.
· Work towards creating a community environment that provides options for residents to choose physically active modes of transport in their daily lives.
