Breckenridge kids learn bicycle, water safety at Summer Safety Event
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Local children and their families learned about bicycle and water safety at the Summer Safety Event, hosted by the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, on Friday, April 25.
Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach checks over a bicycle while others at the Bike Rodeo assist the participants. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
In the First Methodist Church parking lot, a Bicycle Rodeo was set up with stations for bicycle checks and maintenance, helmets, and safety lessons. An obstacle course gave the cyclists an opportunity to practice their skills at turning, riding slow and controlled, avoiding distractions on the road, and stopping the bicycle suddenly from a normal speed of travel.
Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach, Chief Deputy Justin Rose and volunteer Brian Kight checked bicycles for properly aired tires and other safety issues, while Police Chief Blake Johnson provided lessons in driving safely and using hand signals.
Volunteers, including members of the Community Conversations on Health, a local committee that works to address local health concerns, representatives of Resource Care, and others, helped with the obstacle course, as well as at the registration table and the helmet fitting station.
Following the Bicycle Rodeo, participants moved to FMC’s Christian Life Center for a water safety program presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The kids and the parents and grandparents with them learned water safety, as well as sun safety.
Helping to organize and present the Summer Safety Event were the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, the Breckenridge Police Department, ResourceCare Community Health Center, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others.
Police Chief Blake Johnson teaches hand signals to participants in the Bicycle Rodeo last Friday during the Summer Safety Event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
During the second half of the Summer Safety Event, participants had a chance to make bracelets using UV beads that change color with exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, helping the wearer know when they’ve been out in the sun too long. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Those attending the water safety portion of the event received a free life jacket. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: The Bike Rodeo’s obstacle course gave kids a chance to practice stopping while traveling at a normal speed. Click here to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
