WRPS and community partners unite for bike rodeo to promote cycling safety
Young bikers took to a makeshift cycling obstacle course at Kitchener’s Queensmount Arena on Saturday. It was all part of an event aiming to share a message of safety.
“It’s essentially to teach the kids more about bike safety, pick up some free swag and just kick off and enjoy the day,” said WRPS Const. Brad Hickey.
In a concerted effort to enhance bike safety awareness within the community, regional police and various community partners converged at the arena for an engaging bike rodeo event.
“So as we head into the warmer months, it's a great time to come out just to remind the kids and maybe those who are having their first time on the bike for the season…about bike safety and just to get out and have fun,” Hickey told CTV News.
With the aim of promoting safe cycling practices, organizers and partners seized the opportunity to address prevalent bike safety trends and spread crucial messages.
”We believe that biking is for everybody,” said Recreational Therapist at KidsAbility, Sheryl Dedman. “We're here to help families find the path that they want to do for their child to enjoy biking.”
The Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington preached proper helmet use among youth and adults.
“We are giving away about 200 helmets today,” said Executive Director, Lynda Abshoff. “We're aiming at the kids, but we see a lot of people without helmets as adults and that's a problem for us as well.”
With an ever growing population in the region, Abshoff believes discussions surrounding bike safety are important now more than ever.
“It's important for everyone who's on any kind of wheeled device to be wearing proper head safety material,” she said.
In the ongoing quest for safer streets in the region, attendees expressed their optimism about the lasting impact of collaborative initiatives in shaping a safer cycling culture.
“We obviously like to promote bike safety, so having the helmets and that all available, we want to help educate parents on the fact that there are bike options for your child,” Dedman said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.