Preventing bicycle deaths and injuries the focus of course

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

PENNINGTON

For most, a bicycle is the first mode of transportation they own. Unfortunately, says school resource officer and local bicycle enthusiast Bobby Pennington, many children don’t know how to operate one safely.

“With summer here, a lot of kids are out riding bikes on roads all over the county, and I’ve seen a lot of them not following state laws and helmet laws,” Pennington said.

To help prevent accidents and to increase bicycle safety, Warren County Law Enforcement Explorers Post 360 and Warren County Constables Association will sponsor a bicycle education and safety rodeo at Warren County High School this Saturday.

Pennington, who bikes extensively and serves as an advisor for the Explorer group, said the need is great for such an event.

“Around 800 people die every year from bicycle accidents and 540,000 visit the emergency room. 67,000 of those have head injuries and one in eight receives brain injuries,” he said. “If we can keep just one head from getting busted open this will be worthwhile.”

In an effort to prevent such head injuries, each bike rodeo participant will receive a helmet, free of charge, as well as instructions on how to wear it properly.

Participants, who are encouraged to bring their bikes, will also receive a free bike safety inspection and learn the state laws regarding bicycles. Those who bring a bike will also have the opportunity to maneuver through a bicycle obstacle course which will simulate real road and traffic conditions.

Although the rodeo is geared at children aged 9 to 13, as this group is statistically the most prone to bicycle accidents, all children of bike-riding age are encouraged to attend.

All children completing the rodeo will receive a goody bag containing such items as a first-aid kit, a water bottle and a T-shirt.

And as children usually progress from riding bikes to driving automobiles, Saturday’s event will also feature DUI Experience for older youths. DUI Experience features go-carts and “drunk goggles” which combine to simulate the experience of driving under the influence, and show the potentially deadly effects doing so can have.

The free bicycle education and safety rodeo, as well as DUI Experience, will take place at Warren County High School.

Bicycle rodeo
When: Saturday
Where: WCHS
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.