bicycle safety

Submitted photo and press release:

The City of Batavia Police along with the City of Batavia Fire Deptartment conducted a Bicycle Safety Program at Lambert Park on Wednesday. It is located at 100 Verona Ave.

Several children had their bikes inspected and licensed. Children were also instructed in the proper use of bikes on the roadway. Free helmets were supplied courtesy of the Batavia Lions Club and a New York State Grant supplied via the City of Batavia Fire Department.

Six-year-old Jaedyn listens to instructions from Officer Kevin DeFelice during a bike safety course this morning at Williams Park.

The course is the second of five conducted by the city at Batavia's five municipal parks as part of the summer rec programs.

The children participating learn the rules of the road, proper hand signals and the importance of wearing bike safety helmets.

At the end of the course, they receive a certificate that makes them eligible for a free helmet, courtesy of the Batavia Lions Club, which they can pick up at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

The course today was conducted by DeFelice, Det. Rich Schauf and Toni Funke, program coordinator for the Youth Bureau.

Press release from the City of Batavia Police Department:

Each year there are thousands of children that sustain head injury from falls while riding a bicycle. New York State law says that any child under the age of 14 that rides a bicycle, must be wearing a protective helmet. There are many children that still do not have a helmet in Batavia or have their bikes licensed.

The Batavia Lions Club, in cooperation with the Batavia Police Department, are planning to give away free helmets. With the generous but limited resources donated by the Batavia Lions Club, and the Batavia Police Benevolent Association, there is a limited number of helmets available, so it will be done on a first-come first-serve basis. The event will be Saturday June 6^th from 9 a.m. till noon at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, located at 8 Center Street, Downtown. To receive a helmet the child must be under 14 years of age and be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Also to receive a helmet the recipient must have proof of a licensed bicycle or bring a bike to be licensed at the event. The Batavia Police Department will be present at the event to issue bicycle licenses free of charge. The serial number of the bike along with the details of the bike will be needed to license it.