==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
NH BikeSmart Program Continues in Fourth Year for Kids' Bike Safety
NH BikeSmart Program in Fourth Year for Kids' Bike
Safety
July 2010, Hanover, NH…The NH BikeSmart program brought bicycle safety information to thousands of kids at New Hampshire elementary schools for the fourth consecutive year. There were 32 bike safety presentations given by NH BikeSmart instructors in 18 different schools reaching 1,924 students and 163 adults for a total of 2,087 people in the program this year. There have been 215 bike safety sessions in the program's four years for 14,841 attendees at 111 schools.
The program received a grant from the Byrne Foundation to implement the standardized bike safety program in New Hampshire elementary schools. The NH BikeSmart safety program instructors talked to kids about wearing and fitting helmets, dressing bright and tight, bicycle safety quick check, and some basic rules of the road. Program coordinator, Roger Lohr of Hanover, NH produced the grant proposal and managed the operation. He was certified as a BikeSmart instructor in the state of Vermont and has given BikeSmart presentations in elementary schools for five years. The program was smaller this year due to a decline in grant funding but the number of attendees but efforts are underway to ascertain more funding sources in the future.
Teachers at the
schools raved about the NH BikeSmart program. A sample of comments: "Great
job! Easy to understand for students." "Able to keep pace with attention
from students and responded accordingly." Edward Fenn Elementary
"The presentation was very good, visual tools were appropriate supporting
the presentation. Fit in well with personal safety curriculum." Crossroads
Academy
A survey conducted by the NH DOT Bicycle Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Board showed that 93 percent of school nurses at the 316 elementary schools in the state are interested in expanding bike safety outreach in the schools. There are about 50,000 third-fifth grade students in New Hampshire's elementary schools and it is expected that NH BikeSmart can reach many students each year.
Flyers were disseminated in each school to reinforce the bike safety message with parents. According to the NH Highway Safety Agency, more than 600 children are in fatal bicycle crashes nationally each year, most only a few blocks from home, and three of four cyclists in fatal crashes die of head injuries. NH BikeSmart targets kids in the schools to help spread the safety message and encourage bicyclists and motorists to safely share the roads. A list of schools that requested the NH BikeSmart presentations in 2008 and 2009 are on this Bike-Walk Alliance web site.
If interested in
requesting a presentation, becoming a NH BikeSmart instructor, or for more information,
contact Roger Lohr at RBLohr@comcast.net
or call 603-643-0920.