As Islanders young and old prepare to enjoy another season of biking and outdoor activity, the Coool Pedal Gang is once again actively promoting bike helmet safety to Islanders.
"May is Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Month, and across Prince Edward Island concerned communities and groups are holding activities to raise public awareness about the benefits of bike helmet safety," said Transportation and Public Works Minister Don MacKinnon.
The Coool Pedal Gang project is a cooperative partnership of the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the PEI Bike Helmet Coalition, a community group including membership from the PEI Medical Society, Public Health Nursing, the PEI Council of the Disabled, the PEI Home and School Association, local law enforcement agencies, Neil's Ambulance, and numerous sports retailers.
As part of the continuing efforts of the Coool Pedal Gang, staff from Highway Safety are preparing to conduct a series of safety talks across the Island through the month of May. Bike helmet safety talks are scheduled for: May 11 at Montague Consolidated School; May 15 at Ecole Francois Buote; May 28 and 29 in Miscouche, where over 400 students are planned to attend.
One safety talk has already been delivered at Grace Baptist Church Kindergarten in Charlottetown. As part of the safety talks, students are given helmet fittings and taught proper safety techniques.
Two bike rodeos are also being planned in Charlottetown and Summerside for May 11 and June 8 respectively. The Charlottetown rodeo is scheduled for Simmons arena, while the one in Summerside is at Canadian Tire. Both events are receiving generous support from sponsors such as Canadian Tire. "A welcome new feature this year has been the generous support of nearly 30 Island businesses and community facilities who have partnered to promote bike helmet safety awareness in their establishments. Their support and the efforts of all Islanders working together to help make biking a safe, fun activity for all is certainly appreciated," said MacKinnon.
To learn more about the Coool Pedal Gang, you can check out the website at www.cooolpedalgang.com or access a link from the government website at www.gov.pe.ca.