Wilkes County North Carolina Bike Safety For Kids
The following story about children and bike safety is from the Wilkes County Journal-Patriot.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR KIDS….
Children and parents from all over Wilkes County turned out for the eight annual Seth Teague Bike Rodeo held Saturday at West Park in North Wilkesboro. The event was organized by Safe Kids Wilkes County. The eighth annual Seth Teague Memorial Bicycle Rodeo and Safety Day drew a crowd Saturday to West Park in North Wilkesboro. The event was again put on by Safe Kids Wilkes County. “It was wonderful,” said Fletcher Reeves, a member of Safe Kids Wilkes County. “This was one of the best years so far” at the event, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Around 250 bicycle helmets were given away to children in attendance, accompanied by parents and family members. Girl Scouts assisted with fitting and adjusting the helmets, Reeves noted.
Children of all ages participated, riding through a bicycle safety course under the watchful eyes of law enforcement volunteers. The volunteers instructed participants in safe bicycling riding practices.
The idea is to put on a fun event for children during which they can be instructed on bicycle safety and the importance of wearing a helmet and other protective gear, a spokesman said. The most devastating injuries sustained by children on bicycles tend to be head injuries.
The event is named in honor of young Seth Teague, who lost his life in a June 2003 bicycle accident at a bridge on Colvard Road in the Wilbar community.
Free bicycle maintenance inspections and repairs were provided throughout Saturday’s event by Cook’s Inc., and a bicycle safety course was operated by deputies with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department.
Emergency medical evacuation helicopters were present from Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. A critical care ambulance from Baptist was also on display.
Members of the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad, including Commander Doug Cotton, were also on hand to display equipment and answer questions.
Many of Wilkes County’s fire departments brought trucks and various emergency vehicles to the event. Wilkes Rescue Squad and Wilkes EMS were there as well.
During the day, there was a silent auction sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. Proceeds are going to Safe Kids Wilkes County.
Sponsors were Lowe’s Companies Inc., Walmart, Cook’s Inc., Wilkes County Firemen’s Association, Wilbar Fire Department, Brushy Mountain Cycle Club and the Wilkes County Law Enforcement Officers Association.
The Wilkes Health Foundation allowed use of the West Park parking area for the event.
