Rockville Centre students cycle with care

Wilson Elementary School’s third, fourth and fifth grade students participated in the Cycle with Care program on Sept. 14, during Bicycle Safety Week. The annual program is initiated by the Rockville Centre Parks and Recreation Department in cooperation with the RVC police. It is taken to each of the five Rockville Centre elementary schools under the auspices of the RVC PTA.    

Police officer Tony Catalano began the program with the students by discussing bicycle safety rules of the road and proper safety equipment, including helmets and bike reflectors. The children grabbed their bikes as Karen O’Connor and Maura Ressegger, from Parks and Recreation, began guiding the children through bicycle safety demonstrations.  

The children first learned proper stopping, dismounting, crossing streets, and properly checking for traffic while riding. They then moved to an obstacle course to learn safe bicycle handling.  Afterwards each bike was inspected for working brakes, a warning device, such as a bell or horn, and reflectors. Then the bikes were registered. At registration, Parks and Recreation technician Ronny Gonzalez gave each bike a unique number that was etched into the bike and will be kept on file with the Recreation Department. Ginger Creegan, who coordinates the program for Parks and Recreation, estimates that two or three bicycles are returned to their proper owners by police every year because of the registration program.

Although this program was conducted in schools, residents can make an appointment with the Recreation Department to register their bikes.