Bicycle Education and Awareness

After much anticipation and preparation, we finally held the first two sessions of our Hispanic Outreach Program, aimed at providing bicycle education and awareness to the local Hispanic population. The first was Sunday, July 22 at the St. Anthony of Padua Church in Hightstown. The second was at the Hightstown Memorial Branch of Mercer County Library on Monday, July 23.

Dr. David Abalos (above, at left, helping to fit a helmet) helped coordinate both sessions with the help of Linda Cholewiak, branch manager at the library, and Victor Fernandez, who also works at the library. The sessions were well attended, with nearly 15 people at the church and 20 children (including a few parents) at the library. Although the actual presentation is in English and Spanish, I gave the first session in Spanish and the second in English.


The children were especially great students and asked lots of good questions.

We spent a lot of time discussing the importance of wearing helmets and ensuring they are worn properly. Like any good teacher, I made sure we had a test - 'proper helmet fit' - which they passed with flying colors. (Victor above, at left, helping a student to fit a helmet)

They even got to practice before class let out.

Practice makes perfect.





More than one student got a light 'tunk' on the head to demonstrate the cushioning provided by a properly worn helmet.

After each session, participants were encouraged to browse through and help themselves to a variety of materials including:

- Our recently released bilingual bicycle/pedestrian map of West Windsor.

- Bilingual brochures and flyers from the US Department of Transportation about bicycle and pedestrian safety.

- Bicycle Safer Journey: an interactive CD that offers a virtual journey designed to increase our awareness of bicycle safety.

- Safety equipment, including helmets, front and rear lights, reflective ankle bands and reflective tape.
Each attendee received a copy of our map and we gave away approximately 30 helmets, several lights and ankle bands. A few people generously paid for their helmets.

Dr. Abalos donated a couple dozen toddler helmets, many of which are available for later sessions, and many are now protecting our neighbors in Hightstown. Linda was able to donate $50 on behalf of the library to offset the cost of the helmets given by the WWBPA. We cannot thank both of them enough.

We even had an opportunity to install lights and affix reflective tape to our new friend Henry's bike. Keep an eye out for him! He should be very visible now with front and rear lights, red and white reflective tape and dual ankle bands (Henry already had a helmet).

A few of the kids were spotted with helmets on at the computer terminals in the library. We're thrilled they're wearing them!


Chris Scherer