In any neighborhood, Kaua’i youths can be seen speeding on their bicycles without helmets, apparently oblivious to dangerous traffic conditions. Yesterday, at least 100 youths were shown how to ride safely, why they should ride safely and were reminded of
In any neighborhood, Kaua’i youths can be seen speeding on their bicycles without helmets, apparently oblivious to dangerous traffic conditions.
Yesterday, at least 100 youths were shown how to ride safely, why they should ride safely and were reminded of a new state law that requires youths under 16 years old to wear helmets or face a fine.
And if they didn’t care for the classroom setting, all walked away with smiles — 75 bicycle helmets were given away, along with plastic watches, balloons and literature on bicycle safety.
It was all part of the Bike Safety Rodeo event staged at the Waimea Canyon School parking lot by the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i, Waimea Clubhouse and State Farm Insurance.
Bicycle clinics have been held previously on the island, but parents said they found yesterday’s clinic more to their liking because the smaller turnout allowed their children to receive vital information on bicycle safety.
“This way they can hear,” said Estelle Wilson, who was with her two sons, Joseph and Jamen, and her husband, Kapena — all from Hanapepe — to pick up tidbits of information on safe bicycling.
The event also served as a way to impress on youths that their decision not to wear a helmet could result not only in injuries, but could land their parents in court for a day,
“Parents can get fined $25 if the kids don’t wear a helmet,” said Zabbie Zablan of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i. “That is one reason why the helmets are being giving away. It is to help everyone.”
The event had as much meaning to the youths as the adults.
The youths, ranging from 7 to 17 years of age, gleaned safety tips from Kaua’i police officer Joe Ka’auwai and rode on a obstacle course in the school’s parking lot.
Sue Schott, 34, a teacher at Waimea Canyon School, brought her child, Linea, and five other neighborhood children from Kalaheo to the clinics.
The day before, Schott said, her daughter could have been killed or seriously injured on her bicycle by their home on Waha Road in Kalaheo.
Schott recalled that when he was 12 years old, she was riding her bicycle near her house when a speeding vehicle clipped her rear wheel. She said she avoided serious injury only because she was able to maneuver out of the way with what she had learned at the clinics, and that she hoped her daughter will learn the same defensive skills at the clinic.
Kapena Wilson said he and his wife made it a point to attend the clinic when their sons informed them of it last week.
“The information will come in handy because we live by a road (with traffic),” he said.
Wilson said he went through a similar bicycle clinic program sponsored by the Honolulu Police Department when he was growing up on O’ahu, found it worthwhile and benefited from it.
He said he wanted his children to pick up tips that will allow them many years of safe bicycle riding.
The youths had their bicycles inspected by a representative from Bicycle John, a bicycle dealership owned by John Tanner in Lihu’e.
On the course, young bicyclists were tested on mounting and dismounting, circling and changing directions, riding in a straight line, weaving and maneuvering, stopping ability and ability to ride slowly.
For the clinic, 60 of the helmets were donated by the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center in Lihu’e, and 15 were donated the Kaua’i Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition.
Offering help with the event were 15 volunteers from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, the Ho’oikaika Volleyball Club in Waimea and the Menehune Bionics, a drug-free club from Waimea High School.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
