For Rockville Centre’s youngest cyclists, learning the rules of the road started with two wheels and a helmet.
Members of the Rockville Centre Police Department recently visited all five elementary schools in the Rockville Centre Union Free School District to teach third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students about bicycle safety and responsible riding.
The program, conducted in partnership with the village Recreation Department, combined instruction with hands-on lessons designed to help students safely navigate the streets of the community.
Students learned about the importance of wearing a properly fitted helmet, following traffic laws, staying alert while riding and anticipating potential hazards on the road. Officers also stressed the importance of riding predictably, avoiding sudden swerves and never riding against traffic.
The event gave students the opportunity to put some of the lessons into practice. Children also had their bicycles registered as part of the program, with serial numbers engraved on the frame to provide an additional layer of protection against theft.
Bicycle registration is available through the Recreation Center. Registered bicycles should have working brakes, a warning device such as a bell, horn or whistle, front and rear reflectors measuring at least 3 inches square, reflectors on the pedals and reflective tires or wheel reflectors.
For more information or to register a bicycle, residents can make an appointment with the Rockville Centre Recreation Department at 111 North Oceanside Rd. or by calling them at 516-678-9338
