Ever since the bicycle was first created, safety has been an issue.  According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System in 2015 there were 817 bicyclist fatally killed in 2015.  This number is on the rise from 749 fatalities in 2013 and 729 in 2014.  With more bicycles and vehicles on the road than ever before it is crucial that we educate our youth on bicycle safety.  According to the National Safety Council the estimated cost of injury and or death of bicyclist each year is $14 billion.  While this monetary cost seems high, it doesn’t compare to the price that the families pay with the loss of a loved one.

On February 22, 2017, Christian County 4-H was invited to Pembroke Elementary School to present bicycle safety education to all of its 732 students from pre-K to sixth grade.  All of the students were able to see a video demonstrating bicycle safety, a hands on demonstration about proper helmet usage, and were able to ride tricycles through a 4-way intersection set up in the gym.  During the riding portion of the demonstration, each youth was required to come to a four-way stop, signal at the stop, and signal for a right hand turn.

At the end of the day all of the students at Pembroke Elementary School learned many new techniques to help keep them safe as they returned home to ride their bicycles.  All of the students were taught how to travel in the correct lane of traffic, properly negotiate a four-way stop, proper hand signals, and how to properly fit and wear their helmets.  By educating our youth on bicycle safety we can help reduce the number of bicycle related injuries and fatalities.