Local youth encouraged to participate in Ride Smart program this week
Tim Brody - Editor
The Ride Smart bicycle safety program is coming to Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and North Caribou Lake First Nation this week.
According to Sioux Lookout Ontario Provincial Police, “The Ride Smart bicycle safety program is being coordinated by OPP Constable Adam Belanger, in partnership with New Hope Community Bikes, a Cycle education charity from Hamilton, Ontario. They have put together a mobile program, with a truck and trailer containing bikes, helmets and other resources, and have chosen to attend our communities:
- Thursday Aug 19 - Sioux Lookout – W.I.N.K.S. Parking Lot (King Street) – 11:00 am
- Friday Aug 20 - Pickle Lake – Pickle Lake Community Hall – 1:00 pm
- Saturday Aug 21 - North Caribou Lake – OPP Detachment Parking Lot – 1:00 pm”
Designed to develop practical life-long skills through safe cycling, the Ride Smart Cycle Education Program will run for approximately 4-5 hours, from the above mentioned times, and program activities will be offered based on the abilities and interests of the youth who attend.
“Any youth aged 7-15 are encouraged to come out and participate. There is no pre-registration, youth can just show up at the posted location if they would like to participate. Anyone with a bicycle is encouraged to bring their own bicycles out for a quick tune up and to use them for the program. There will be bicycles and helmets available to participants who may not have access to their own equipment,” Sioux Lookout OPP informed, adding, “The Bike Program Coordinator is also planning to return to Sioux Lookout in the fall, to offer youth training in bicycle repair in order to support the local bike program WINKS has started in our community.”
“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome this program to our communities, and hope that local youth take this chance to build their riding skills and knowledge about traffic laws so that they can safely and confidently cycle in the community,” Sioux Lookout OPP Community Mobilization/Safety Officer Constable Andrea Degagne concluded.