Buckeye Lake kids learn bike safety

BUCKEYE LAKE — Children from around the Buckeye Lake region spent an event-filled morning honing their bike safety skills at the inaugural Buckeye Lake Tri-County Kids’ Bike Safety Rodeo held in Buckeye Lake Village. This free event was planned and hosted by the volunteer-run organization Bike Buckeye Lake, in collaboration with the airfield, Licking and Perry County health departments, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Walnut Township Local School District, and local fire and police departments.

On May 11, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish hosted the first Bike Safety Rodeo in their parking lot. The event attracted nearly 40 children between the ages of 5 and 10, and with the participation of families and volunteers, the total attendance surpassed 130 people. Children guided their bikes through a course made up of 13 stations designed to address specific bike handling and safety issues. Similar bike safety courses have been shown to have a positive impact on rider safety. For example, bike crashes with vehicles decreased by 88% for kids 5-14 years old who attended a bike safety rodeo within the previous year (Rivara & Metrik, 1998).

Rider participants also received a bike maintenance check provided by bike mechanics and a free fitted helmet. The local Fire Department conducted fire safety training and gave kids an opportunity to board a fire truck.

The host of the event, Bike Buckeye Lake, is a 501©3 non-profit organization founded in 2015 to foster healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. The group promotes the creation of safe trails that connect towns and points of interest around Buckeye Lake. The goal is to make walking, running and cycling safe, convenient, and accessible for residents and visitors to the lake.

In addition to the Bike Safety Rodeo, Bike Buckeye Lake orchestrates several community-centric events, including the annual Christmas Bike Giveaway for local children and the Tour de Buckeye Lake, a cycling event open to riders of all skill levels. Registration for this year’s Tour, scheduled for August 17, 2024, is now open. As the organization’s primary fundraiser, the Tour’s proceeds are crucial in supporting trail development around Buckeye Lake, covering expenses such as land leases, acquisitions, engineering consultations, safety measures, grant applications, and maintenance.

For more information or to get involved, visit bikebuckeyelake.org.

Submitted by Bike Buckeye Lake