Bowling Green Police officers teach bike safety to kids

BOWLING GREEN Ky.- Summer time means motor vehicles will be sharing the road with more of another type of vehicle. Bicycles.

At the Parker Bennett Community Center in Bowling Green, an annual bike safety day is held every summer. The Bowling Green Police Department stopped by Friday to provide kids with safety tips. Parker Bennett Community Center Program Coordinator Shawnetta Price said the session is crucial.

“Oh, it’s very important. This isn’t our first time doing the bike safety thing. It’s really important that our kids know to look both ways, to stop, when to go, when not to go,” Price said.

Helmets are a must, and a common reason for bike injuries comes from not wearing one.

 Bowling Green Police Public Information Officer Ronnie Ward said teaching youngsters about being safe on a bike is also a good experience for law enforcement.

“This is a great opportunity for us to come hang out with the kids and show them how important it is to use safety when they’re on their bicycle and think about that and all that goes into being safe,” Ward said.

Ward said violent bike crashes aren’t too common in this area, which is even more of a reason to make sure kids don’t fall victim.

As the officers enjoy some bike time with the kids, ward calls the experience enlightening.

“It’s always a lot of fun to watch them interact with each other and the staff here at Parker Bennett Community Center. They do such a great job with the kids.

Officials say if your helmet is cracked even slightly, it’s important to get it replaced as soon as possible, since it will provide less protection.