Local Police Departments Team Up To Teach Kids Bike Safety
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Kids will be kids, and this time of year, it's tough to keep them off of their bikes.
Three North Hills police departments have been working together for nearly a decade to make sure kids are safe on their bikes, and safe on the streets.
Lt. Sean Frank explained the importance of bike safety.
"With all the bike lanes and the bike trails, it is becoming very popular. Parents are out there riding their bikes and they are encouraging their kids to be safe while they are doing it, and that's part of why we are here today. We are dealing with the elements of the weather. We have over 50 bikers who have showed up even though we are dealing with an on and off rain," he said.
Parents appreciate the added security of knowing that their children are taught the right way to ride.
"They had to go through a little riding course, learning about stop signs and all the safety things and they had a thing put on for checking out your bicycle to see if everything is okay," said Jeff Zillweger.
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Mechanics took the time to check the operation of the bikes after a long winter in storage. Organizers also fit children for free helmets.
Pennsylvania state law says kids have to protect their heads when they ride.
"Any child under 12 must have a helmet on when they are riding their bikes, and we encourage kids all the way up to adults to wear a helmet when they are riding their bicycle," Lt. Frank said.
A road obstacle course was also set up for the kids to demonstrate how well they know the rules of the road and how to properly control the speed as they ride.
"This event over the years has grown in popularity and with all the safety initiatives that are out there today, we are out here trying to make sure kids are safe on their bikes," Lt. Frank said.
Officers from Shaler Township, Etna and Millvale participated this year along with assistance from Shaler EMS.