CCSD hosts bike rodeo to help teach kids roadway safety

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Charles and Phyllis Frias Elementary School and the Safe Routes to School department hosted a community “bike rodeo” event Saturday morning.

A bike rodeo is described as an event that promotes an opportunity for students to practice and develop skills to avoid typical bicycle crashes.

Jennifer Grube, CCSD’s Safe Routes to School coordinator, said more than 100 kids were in bike crashes across the Las Vegas valley this school year alone. She said those numbers come from different police agencies and they are working to pinpoint the exact numbers to target the issue. However, another effort to tackle the problem is educating the youth.

“Common crashes on the roadways are not yielding, coming out of driveways and not stopping and looking, not stopping at intersections,” Grube said. “We have a lot of cyclists that will just ride through crosswalks and intersections.”

Grube also stressed the importance of traveling on the right side of the road and being visible at all times. She said the community near the elementary school has seen more kids getting hit.

Patty Lee hoped her three kids would be safer on the roads.

“It is all about safety, making sure they wear their helmets, walk their bikes and scooters across the crosswalk and that they watch out for cars because it can be dangerous out there,” Lee said.

Free helmets were donated, courtesy of the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. A mobile bike mechanic assisted with any major bike repairs for students.

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