Between the Porcupine Health Unit and Timmins Police, there’s ample opportunity to learn about bike safety this week in Timmins.

The police—along with their Youth in Policing students—will host two bike rodeos Tuesday and Wednesday.

TPS’ Corporate Communications Coordinator Kate Cantin says it’s important to teach kids about bike and helmet safety at a young age.

The rodeos will include lessons on “hand signals, road signs, and helmet safety.”

“Participants must bring their own bikes and helmets to the rodeos,” Cantin adds.

She says anybody who swings by one of their rodeos will receive “Helmets On” passes, which is a choice between “free sessions at either the Hollinger (Park) mini-putt, NEO Laser Tag or swimming at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex.”

The rodeos go Tuesday, August 1st from 11am to 3pm at the Hollinger mini-putt location at Hollinger Park, and Wednesday, August 2nd from 5-8pm in the McIntyre Arena parking lot.

In conjunction with the August 2nd rodeo, the Porcupine Health Unit will host a “Summer Bike Safety Blitz” from 4-8pm at the nearby McIntyre Park.

It’s a chance for cyclists to have helmets inspected and adjusted, as well as a chance to participate in an interactive safe cycling activity.

“Head injuries continue to be the number one cause of serious injury and death for children on bicycles. But it doesn’t have to be that way!” says Valerie Genier, a Public Health Nurse with the Porcupine Health Unit.

“Research shows that a properly fitted helmet can decrease the risk of serious head injury by up to 80%.”

She adds that this past school year during the annual bike rodeos, health unit nurses inspected 518 bike helmets and 471 of them were unsafe.

Genier also offers these safety tips for cycling:

  • Inspect your bicycle before you ride to make sure it is safe
  • Obey the traffic signs and rules of the road
  • Signal and look before you turn
  • Always wear a properly fitted helmet

She adds that adults need to remember to lead by example and wear a helmet too.

“Both adult and children cyclists are at risk for head injuries and we know that children are more likely to wear a bike helmet if their adult riding companions wear helmets too,” the PHU adds in a release.

The Wednesday is being done at the same place as the Summer Concert Series at McIntyre Park, which runs 6-9pm.

If you can’t make it out and want to have your child’s helmet inspected, the PHU says you can contact them at 705-267-1181 or population.health@porcupinehu.on.ca.

Filed under: Local News