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Hawarden Police Department, Fire Department and Ambulance
Host Bicycle Safety Class
May 2001 By Chief Mike DeBruin
On Saturday, May 19, 2001, the Hawarden Police Department, Hawarden Fire Department and Hawarden Ambulance held a bicycle rodeo for all children from 1st grade through 5th grade. About 31 kids participated in the event.

At the bicycle rodeo the kids were given a safety lecture, were taught proper rules of the road, had their bicycles evaluated in a bicycle safety checklist, and then rode their bicycles through the chalk path.

At the event there were one boys and one girls 24Ó Mountain Bike given away to a lucky participant. In the boys category the winner of the bicycle was Austin Peterson. In the girls category Ma Kayla Hemmelrick was the winner.
The Healthy Community Initiative gave a donation to the Police Department to purchase bicycle helmets, which were to be given out at this event. About 25 bicycle helmets were given away to the participants. This will kick off a bicycle helmet promotion, which will run through August 31, 2001. If a child is seen wearing a bicycle helmet while riding their bike, by a member of the Ambulance, Fire or Police Departments, they will be given a certificate for a free ice cream cone or a small fountain pop at the Quick Corner. Studies have shown that wearing a bicycle helmet when riding can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85% and can reduce the risk of brain injury by almost 90%. We would encourage parents to consider these numbers and look out for the safety of their child.
At the end of the event all of the participants were given bicycle safety handouts and were treated to refreshments.