Third Annual Bike To School Day
Bike to School Day is Wednesday May 27th.
The Harding and Garfield Middle Schools in Lakewood will join schools from around the country to celebrate National Bike to School Day on Wednesday May 27th, 2015. This annual Bike to School Day is being presented by Bike Lakewood with the great assistance and support of the middle school principals and staff, along with the City of Lakewood, the PTA, Beat Cycles, the Lakewood Library, Lakewood Alive, and the Lakewood YMCA.
Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment. Please check the Bike Lakewood Facebook page for safety videos and updated information. Please be sure to review the safety guidelines for bike to school day with your children.
Bicyclists will arrive at the school, lock up their bikes, and receive participation packets of appreciation provided by University Hospitals and other local organizations and businesses along with a raffle ticket. Each middle school will have one lucky participant win a Pool Party provided by the Lakewood YMCA along with a prize package of bicycle related equipment donated by Beat Cycles. Students will also help to inform us though a bike-ability survey that helps us to evaluate the event, road conditions, and intersection safety.
About National Bike to School Day
National Bike to School Day, coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, provides an opportunity for communities across the country to join together to bicycle to school on the same day. The event builds on the excitement surrounding National Bike Month, led by the League of American Bicyclists each May.
BICYCLE SAFETY:
DO A BIKE AND HELMET CHECK
BIKE FIT: When sitting on the bike with feet on the pedals, there should be a slight bend in the knee when the pedal is closest to the ground.
BIKE VISIBILITY: The bike should have reflectors on the front, back, and both wheels. If riding when after dusk, there should also be lights on the front and back.
ABC QUICK CHECK:
A is for Air, check the air pressure and make sure tires aren’t worn out.
B is for Brakes, spin each wheel and apply brakes to check proper function.
C is for cranks, chains, and cogs. The crank arms hold the pedals should be tight apply pressure on each side (if there is movement the bolt most likely needs to be tightened), the chain should look like metal (if black or grimy clean them up and apply fresh lubricant), the cogs are the gears in the back and should be clean like the chain, and allow the chains to run freely over them.
Talk with your parents. Are you allowed to ride by yourself or with friends?
Dress to be seen. Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective gear. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.
Tie and tuck. Loose laces and pant legs can get caught up in your bike and cause you to crash. Tie shoelaces and tuck the hanging ends into your shoe, and tie wide pant legs with a reflective strap or tuck them into socks.
WHILE RIDING YOUR BIKE
Look and listen for traffic. Also, look for things that could make you fall, like pot holes and storm grates. Never use a cell phone or wear headphones. Watch for vehicles going in and out of driveways. Keep both hands on the handlebars, except when signaling. Carry books and other items in a backpack or bag designed to fit on a bicycle.
Stop before crossing the street, entering a road, or turning. Look left, right, left, and behind you for traffic, including pedestrians, bicycles, and cars. Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Use hand signals.