The Caribou Parks and Recreation Department once again partnered with the Caribou Rotary Club and brought smiles to more than 100 area second-graders as they fulfilled their annual Bicycle Safety Program by distributing 120 helmets to students from Caribou, New Sweden, Stockholm, Woodland and Connor.
More than 80 second-grade students from Hilltop Elementary School are ready to ride their bicycles safely thanks to the Caribou Rotary Club who for the past 17 years has provided new bicycle helmets to area grade two boys and girls. Along with the helmets, the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department provides classroom instruction helping the young students learn about riding safely. In back of the students are members of the Caribou Rotary Club who helped hand out the new helmets.
This is the 17th year the Bicycle Safety Program has been provided to grade-two students by the two groups and this year’s delivery of 121 of the helmets brings the total to 2,459. For the past 10 years, the Trek Across Caribou has been the featured event for the safety program, with second-grade participants following a designated path from Hilltop School to the Caribou High School. This year’s trek, scheduled for Sunday, June 6, was cancelled due to inclement weather.
According to Kathy Mazzuchelli, director of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, who along with the assistance from Rotary members delivered the helmets to the local schools, “Bicycling presents hazards to all participants and a few simple precautions can make a difference. About 80 percent of all cyclists’ deaths each year result from head injuries. Many more cyclists are permanently impaired from traumatic head injuries suffered as a result of falls from bicycles,” said Mazzuchelli.
Parents are reminded bicycle helmets are required by law in the state of Maine for anyone under 16 years of age, but every cyclist, including moms and dads, should wear a helmet. Also, should a child’s helmet suffer a crack or dent while in use, the helmet should be replaced.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Kathy Mazzuchelli, demonstrates to Hilltop Elementary School second-graders, the proper way to wear a bicycling helmet.
Contributed photo
New Sweden second-graders recently donned their new bicycle helmets, courtesy of the Caribou Rotary Club. Rotary members have partnered with the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department for 17 years, ensuring young bicyclists learn to ride safely and wear a properly fitting helmet. Students, from left, are David Stokdijk, Walker Clark, Tristin Saucier, Abigail Wimmer, Tina Butterfield and Emma Dixon. In back are: Alex Bouchard, Bryce Morgan and Andrew Mooney.
Contributed photo
Second-grade students from Connor display their new bicycle helmets provided by the Caribou Rotary Club. From left are: Renee Stubs, Chelsea Levesque, Katrina Salch, Victoria Leavitt and Elliot Perley.
Contributed photo
Woodland second-grade students, from left, Ariel Plucker, Alexis Parker, Grace Schmitt and Brooke Blackstone show off their new bicycle helmets recently given to them by members of the Caribou Rotary Club. The helmet distribution is part of an annual Bicycle Safety Program organized by the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department and the local Rotary organization.
