A crowd of children braved the chilly temperatures Sunday to participate in the seventh annual Bike Safety Day at Mineola Bicycles.
The event was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of County Seat, Mineola.
Children had the opportunity to ride their bicycles through an eight-station safety skills course which allowed them to practice skills such as turn signals and weaving in and out of cones.
Other activities included an obstacle course featuring a bicycle teeter-totter and small ramp, bicycle wheel bowling, a tire toss and a timed race for both adults and children riding a 12-inch bicycle.
Prizes were awarded to the winners of the time raced in two categories, ages ten and under and ages 11 and older.
Two new bicycles were also awarded to the winners of the “Best Bike Safety Poster” and the “Best Decorated Bicycle” contest.
“I was happy to see so many kids come out,” said Barry Dworkin, manager of Mineola Bicycles. “I believe that they walked away with a deeper understanding of maintaining safety on their bikes.”
The Kiwanis mission statement focuses on the protection of children and the communities of the world.
Joel Harris, president of the Kiwanis Club of County Seat, Mineola said the Bike Safety Day helped “accomplish both of those goals in one shot.“
“We are protecting our children by teaching them how to carefully ride bicycles, signal and wear helmets,” Harris said. “(We are also protecting) the communities that they live in.”
The Brain Injury Association attended the event, handing out free helmets to those who needed one.
There was also a free pumpkin giveaway, along with pumpkin painting stations.
“It looked like the kids had a lot of fun,” Dworkin said.
