Mazomanie Bike Rodeo

May 21, 2008
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us

Bike riding is a favorite summer pastime, as well as a great physical activity for children. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is helping kids enjoy their bikes this summer by making sure they ride safely. Dane County Sheriff’s Deputies will be holding a Bike Rodeo on Friday, May 23rd, at the Mazomanie Elementary School. The deputies will lead several safety activities for children in grades 3-5. Pro-Cycle Bikes will be on hand to inspect bikes for mechanical issues, and helmets will also be inspected to ensure a proper fit. Anyone with a poor fitting or damaged helmet will be eligible to receive a new one thanks to a donation by District One EMS. The program is scheduled to run from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Each year approximately 140 children are killed as bicyclists. Fifty-three percent of those killed were on connecting roads and neighborhood streets. In 2005, a total of 251,366 bicycle related injures involving children were reported. More children ages 5 to 14 are seen in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to biking than any other sport. Before your child pedals off this summer, make sure they know the rules of the road: · Stop at all stop signs and traffic lights, and use turn signals. · Ride on the right hand side of the road, the same direction as traffic. · Wear bright colored clothing so motorists and other bikers can see you. · Look both ways before crossing a street or entering a street from a driveway or sidewalk. · Keep your bike tuned up. · ALWAYS wear a helmet. The Bike Rodeo activities were developed based on crash data indicating the most common scenarios where children are at risk and are used nationwide to help prevent injuries and fatalities. ###