[E-updates] Helmet fair offers a full slate of activities and the "T" can get kids there free

Mon May 3 13:27:27 CDT 2004

CITY OF LAWRENCE

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2004

CONTACT:  

Rob Kort, division chief, Lawrence/Douglas County Fire Medical Department,

(785) 832-7600 or (785) 423-3699

or

Karin Rexroad, public transit administrator, (785) 832-3464

or

John J. Drees, Douglas County Safe Kids Coalition, (785) 840-3067

Helmet fair offers a full slate of activities and the "T" can get kids there

free

(Lawrence, Ks) - The annual Lawrence Helmet Fair will be able to keep kids

and parents busy for the entire morning on Saturday, May 8.  The helmet give

away and safety stations will be held on Saturday, May 8 from 10am to noon

at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

The helmet fair provides protective gear useful for all wheeled sports

including bikes, roller blades and skateboarding.  By wearing helmets while

biking or on other wheels, serious head injuries can be reduced by as much

as 85 percent.

Division Chief Rob Kort explains, "When kids wear helmets, they still have

accidents on bikes, but the odds of a head injury go way down.  So in the

event of a serious accident, they may be recovering from broken bones, but

they are likely to avoid a head injury."

Another critical element in the helmet fair is the individual fitting

provided by medical professionals and bike enthusiasts.  Children must be

present at the fair to receive a helmet and be fitted because proper fit is

important to the effectiveness of a helmet.  In addition to the fitting and

a free helmet, children receive advice and information that encourage

children to be life long helmet wearers.

Also available at the helmet fair will be a collection site for used bikes.

The Street Division of the Public Works Department accepts used bikes in all

states of disrepair.  Collected bikes are refurbished by the Lansing

Correctional Facility rather than sent to a landfill.

Other activities will take place at the annual Lawrence Helmet Fair. The

bike rodeo, provided by State Farm will test a rider's abilities on the

course of skill and agility.  Other safety stations include a street course

provided by the Lawrence Police Department letting kids operate bikes using

actual traffic signs, bike inspections by Sunflower Bike and the Douglas

County SAFE KIDS seatbelt simulator, a water safety program presented by the

Kansas Parks and Wildlife along with lifeguards and first aid kits will be

provided by Lawrence Memorial Hospital.  Once a child has visited all the

safety stations, they will receive a one-day pass valid for entrance into

the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center or the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center,

provide by Lawrence Parks and Recreation.  Hotdogs and soda will also be

provided at no charge courtesy of Dillon's, Coke and McDonalds.  

Additional sponsors for the helmet fair include, Stephens Real Estate, Laird

Nollar Automotive, River City Lions Club, the City of Lawrence, Lawrence

Douglas County Fire and Medical and Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment.

Free rides for kids on the "T"

On Saturday, May 8, the Lawrence Transit System will waive the fare for

children.  The free ride will get kids to the helmet fair at the Douglas

County Fairgrounds and riders will have the opportunity to check out the

bike racks on the buses.

"A bike and the "T" really can get people around the entire Lawrence

community," explains Karin Rexroad, transit administrator.  "Bike racks are

simple to use and secure bikes while riders use the "T" to take a longer or

hilly trip."

Using 40-minute intervals, Route 1 provides a ride to the Douglas County

Fairgrounds.  Parents and children are encouraged to take advantage of

Saturday's free rides for children to try the "T".  Riders will find that

drivers are excellent resources when learning to ride public transportation

and are encouraged to ask for assistance.

Bike racks, available on all eight fixed racks, will hold bicycles with at

least a 16 inch wheel.  Bike racks hold two bikes per bus and all bikes must

use the rack so if the racks are filled, riders needing to load a bike

should wait for the next bus.

To help plan your trip or learn more about the routes, call (785) 312-7054

or log on to www.lawrencetransit.org.

Helmet fair kicks off community education of helmet ordinance

The helmet fair will also be the launch site of the "Use your Head. Wear a

Helmet!" campaign.  Fair participants will learn about the city ordinance

requiring youth, 15 years old and younger, to properly wear an approved

skate or bike helmet securely fastened by chin or neck strap when riding a

bike, roller skates, inline skates, roller blades, skateboards, or scooter.

Youth not wearing a helmet are eligible to receive a coupon valid for a free

bicycle helmet redeemable at a Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical station.

"As the community gears up for outdoors activities this spring, helmets

should be on their equipment checklist," explains Rob Kort, division chief

with the Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Department.  "As we continue

to work to educate people about using a helmet, the ordinance will be a

powerful tool in promoting helmet use."

The community will see more of the "Use your Head. Wear a Helmet!" campaign

as posters are distributed, material is added to web sites and the

distinctive icon appears on helmets and t-shirts.

-END-

_____________________________

Lisa K. Patterson

Communications Coordinator

City of Lawrence

PO Box 708

Lawrence, KS 66044

(785) 832-3406

fax (785) 832-3405

lpatterson at ci.lawrence.ks.us

http://www.lawrenceks.org