The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Office on Highway Safety (OHS) will be joined by Governor Lincoln Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to welcome nearly 800 youngsters to Bike Safety Day. The event will be held on Monday, August 1, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick. (Rain date is Wednesday, August 3, 2011.)
The event is a great opportunity for children who use bicycles, skateboards inline skates or scooters to learn about the rules of the road from local and state law enforcement professionals. Participants from city and town summer recreation programs, ranging in age from 6 to 14, will receive a free bike helmet properly fitted to them, as well as reflective arm and wrist bands to wear while riding their bicycles. They will also have the opportunity to learn to navigate obstacles in one of three bike safety courses.
Participants will meet Cranston K-9 "Bosco" and the Rhode Island Search and Rescue K-9 Team, "Maxwell and Gemma." Cranston Police Department School Resource Officer Matthew Davis will also conduct bicycle safety courses throughout the day.
As a special component, guests will also be treated to a bike safety demonstration from 11 a.m. to noon by professional BMX rider and World and National Pro Flatland Champion Chris Poulos.
In addition to RIDOT, Bike Safety Day is sponsored by RIDEM, UnitedHealthcare, AAA of Southern New England, CVS Corporation, and the Brain Injury Association of R.I., Inc.
Participating summer recreation programs include: Bristol Parks and Recreation; Burrillville Extended Care; Cumberland Recreation Department; East Providence Parks and Recreation; North Kingstown Boy Scouts; West Elmwood Housing Development (Providence); the John Hope Settlement House (Providence); and South Kingstown Parks and Recreation.
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Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362 x. 4009