By Melanie Jacob
Journal Staff Writer
mjacob@humboldtjournal.ca
Thanks to being indoors and out of the rainy weather, the Bike Rodeo & Safety Day on June 21 was a resounding success.
Within the first hour, more than 85 of the 200 helmets supplied by BHP Billiton were fitted and given to children for free.
"We're teaching kids the skills they need to ride their bicycles properly," said Tracey Shewciw, executive director for Safe Communities Humboldt & Area. "It's all about knowing the rules of the road, proper hand signals, and being safe."
The event was a sponsored partnership project between BHP and Safe Communities and featured a bunch of different things, including three different obstacle courses.
The first portion was a figure eight track for kids to practice riding on the line. The second was the "crazy crossroads demon driveway." For this portion, kids had to pull out of their "driveway," go straight through a busy intersection, and make a left turn, all while being aware of their surroundings and using proper hand signals. The last portion was the "stop-start scanning rock dodge" where kids had to make a U-turn while avoiding rocks (which were actually coloured sponges).
Aside from the obstacle course, there were also interactive stations such as the brain walk, which was an acquired brain injury program. This section taught kids all about the brain and why it's important to keep safe and healthy and how to do so.
"Kids are always excited when they're on their bikes, going from point A to point B," said Shewciw. "They're not aware of their surrounding, but they have to be responsible for their own safety as well as those around them."
On hand to assist with the event were the RCMP, Humboldt fire fighters, and ambulance service volunteers. The fire department helped by inspecting bikes, chains, tires, belts, etc. while the other volunteers assisted in a variety of ways on and off the obstacle course. The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute was also present with some provided goodies.
"The big thing is helmet safety. Saskatchewan is terrible because we don't have proper helmet legislation so we have to be accountable and take it upon ourselves to be safe," said Shewciw. "Often helmets don't fit properly or are expired or damaged."
Helmet safety is one of the ten goals Safe Communities is focusing on this year and so the Summer Sizzler presented a good opportunity.
As far as bike rodeos go, this one was the first one done in a long time. It was aimed at kids up to the age of 13, but parents were also welcome if they wanted to learn more about safety.
"Helmets aren't just for kids, they're for everyone who rides bikes," said Shewciw. "This is for all ages. Education has to be a full family thing."
