Three days after today, Friday, May 20, 2016, school children will be on the loose in Morrison, IL. This summer, many will travel around town by bicycle. Apropos of that, the annual Bicycle Safety talk and helmet donation was scheduled at 9:30 a.m., in the cafeteria of Southside School, 100 Academic Drive, Morrison. The event is a collaboration between Friends of the Parks Foundation; Rotary Club; City of Morrison Police Department; DQ Grill & Chill owners Bart and Ellen Smith.
Just in time for summer riding, FOP Foundation member William McNeal, an accomplished bicyclist, instructed 68 third grade students about the rules and regulations of safe bicycle riding and proper helmet fitting.
McNeal gave a quick PowerPoint presentation, teaching the ABC safety check, local riding laws, and general common sense safety instruction. McNeal has been giving similar workshops since 2008.
“A Police Officer has the right to check your bicycle” for safe equipment. “The law requires a front light that shines 500 feet ahead and a red rear light that is visible from 100 feet away.” You cannot wear earplugs or use a cell phone while riding. He cautioned children to be alert to the road surface ahead. “Potholes can wipe you out. Cracks on the roadway are dangerous. You will probably wipe out or fall down” if they are ignored, as when “your tire gets into a crack. Avoid cracks and rails at railroad crossings, too,” he warned.
“Just like we wear seat belts, you should always wear a helmet. The most important part of your body is your brain; the helmet protects your brain,” he told the children. He demonstrated proper helmet placement and strap fit.
Parents are encouraged to require helmets whenever children bike ride, to prevent head injuries.
McNeal continued, “We have to obey all the rules that cars do,” including stopping for a red light or stop sign. “You must ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction cars are going.” It is permissible for two riders to travel side by side on a road or three abreast on a bike trail, but two people may not ride the same bicycle unless it is a tandem.
He told the children to “ride on the sidewalk, unless your parent gives permission” to ride in the street. However, bicyclists may not ride sidewalks in the downtown area. “Wear bright clothing to be seen” by drivers, he added.
Police Chief Brian Melton explained the “catch riders being safe” initiative, which he began in 2015. Officers will stop children wearing bike helmets and reward them with a coupon for a free DQ Grill & Chill mini Blizzard.
McNeal stood on a table bench to demonstrate bicycle hand signals; third graders replicated his gestures successfully. Friends of the Parks Foundation member Barb Benson informed the children about a bike ride to Morrison-Rockwood State Park on Thursday, July 28. It is sponsored by the Morrison Parks & Rec Board.
Teachers called the boys and girls to come forward in order of their head/helmet size. Rotarians Lousie Clark and Merle Reisenbigler (arm visible behind Clark) distributed red and black helmets. She said the organization paid for them in accordance with their motto, “Service Above Self.”
