SUMMER CYCLING: BIKE SMART TEACHES CHILDREN MUCH-NEEDED SKILLS

Sam Hahs and Molly Hahs portrayed "people cars" as bicyclists made traffic decisions on the skills course.

Dick Schaefer of the Evening Optimist Club adjusted a bicycle helmet for Lia Beckett. The Cape Girardeau Safe Communities Program provided free helmets for children who needed them.

An estimated 57 million Americans ride bikes according to the National Safety Council. Whether young or old, riding for transportation or pleasure, practicing traffic safety skills is a must.

The millions of cyclists must share the road with millions of motor vehicles that are larger, heavier, and faster than bikes. The National Safety Council believes that the prevention of accidents lies in defensive driving techniques by both parties.

The Bike Smart program held Saturday, May 1 was designed to help bicyclists in grades one through four learn those defensive driving skills and other ways to help prevent bicycle accidents and injury..

As many as 600,000 disabling injuries and 900 deaths result from bicycle related accidents per year. Of those injuries and deaths, the majority result from head trauma.

Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk for head injury by as much as 85 percent. Bike Smart sponsors have been providing bicycle helmets for the last five years.

Before starting their safety course, each rider was fitted with a helmet and instructions were given to rider and parent as to the importance of wearing the helmet properly. Evening Optimist volunteers were on hand to help with the fitting and instruction.

Proper bicycle maintenance is another important safety factor. VFW members inspected the bikes of those participating in Saturday's events.

Police officers talked to the young riders about the importance of visual cues in traffic including the proper clothing to wear and ways to be sure the rider can be seen by others using the roadways.

A portion of St. Francis Medical Center's parking garage was turned into an obstacle course to teach children how to properly exit a driveway, what to do when approaching an obstacle, the safe way to maneuver around a pothole and how to position themselves and the bike for powerful take-offs at clear intersections.

Picture taking with Crash Test Dummies Vince & Larry, face painting courtesy of Safe Kids, popcorn and drinks were enjoyed by participants and families after the safety course was completed.

Sherry Galnore, coordinator for the Safe Communities Program, says it takes about 75 volunteers to put on the Bike Smart program. T-shirts, helmets, pamphlets on bike safety, entertainment and refreshments were provided by area sponsors.

Each year some lucky rider pedals off on a new bicycle. The winner of this year's bike was Ryan Hale, age 7.