Close call for cyclist sparks safety initiative

With school almost out for summer, students at Rendell Park School took part in a bike safety event to make sure they know the rules of the road.

The event was in partnership with Grindin Gears Bikes and Boards and the Lloydminster RCMP, and students from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School biked over to Rendell to help out, too.

Bike safety is of course always important, but recent events have the topic hitting too close to home for Rendell Park’s principal, Sheldon Gallagher.

“A couple of weeks ago, one of our Grade 6 students was actually in an accident with a vehicle. It could have been really, really horrific,” he said, explaining the student crossed 36 St. at 57 Ave. on a bicycle at a red light without looking.

“The student is OK, but she did have to go to the hospital because of a broken leg. When we thought about what the consequences could have been, we thought, ‘we need to put this on for our kids.’

“We have lots of students that ride over from Parkview, so we needed to do this. It was very important,” he added with a sense of urgency in his voice.

Gallagher pitched his bike safety event idea to Const. Kelsey Davidge of the Lloydminster RCMP as well as Jim Taylor owner of Grindin Gears; both loved the idea.

“As summer is now here, we thought it was important to reinforce the rules of the road and just some safety stuff for the kids here at Rendell,” said Const. Davidge. “We also have some high school kids here to help us facilitate the day.”

At first glance, Davidge said the day was off to a great start as all students on bikes were wearing helmets.

“We brought a bunch of bikes for kids who don’t have one to use, as well as a bunch of helmets kids can use today and take home,” she added.

Davidge is hoping students soaked up the ability to identify dangers on the road while remembering to always keep their heads up and watch for cars.

“Even something like what to do when going over a railway track. We have lots of those in

Lloyd,” she said, adding the RCMP will once again be giving out positive tickets for things such as wearing helmets and walking your bike across the road.

For Taylor, who just celebrated six years of business in the Border City, teaching kids the importance of bike maintenance is a big one.

“A lot of kids have bikes but know nothing about them, so I try to teach them about brakes and what to look for on your bike to make sure it’s safe before you go ride,” he said.