MELROSE — Chief Michael Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department will host a Bicycle Safety Rodeo this summer.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 1-3 p.m.

WHERE:

Dills Court Municipal Parking Lot

WHAT:

The Melrose Police Department invites local children and their families to attend a free Bicycle Safety Rodeo this August.

The event will promote bicycle safety, and will feature stations where children will have the opportunity to learn bicycle safety, including changing direction, turning in circles, steering through tight spaces, weaving, stopping quickly, riding the bicycle very slowly while maintaining balance and learning to maneuver tight turns.

There will also be an obstacle course at the event designed to reinforce bicycle safety rules, laws and safe practices among children in common roadways in neighborhood scenarios.

The Bicycle Safety Rodeo will also include free giveaways.

“It’s great to see children enjoying the summer and riding their bicycles, and we want to make sure our youngest residents are being safe and understand the rules of the road,” Chief Lyle said. “We encourage parents and guardians to bring their children to this event to reinforce safe bicycle practices, while also having fun.”

The Melrose Police Department would like to remind the community of the following bicycle safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Bicyclist Safety Tips:

• Wear a helmet that properly fits and adjust your bicycle properly to your height.
• Inflate tires and check your brakes.
• Make yourself visible to drivers regardless of the time of day by wearing neon, fluorescent or bright colors. Wear reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.
• Use a bike carrier or backpack if you’re transporting books, snacks, etc.
• Watch out for potholes, broken glass, gravel, dogs, puddles and other potential road hazards.
• Ride in the same direction as motor traffic.
• Use proper turn signals.
• State “passing on your left” or “on your left” when passing a pedestrian or other bicyclist.
• Obey traffic laws, including all signs, signals, and lane markings.
• Yield to traffic.
• Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
• Ride in a straight line.
• Look before turning.
• Be cautious of parked cars that may have passengers opening doors, or that may attempt to pull into the road.
• Ride in bike lanes or on bike paths when possible.

The Melrose Police Department would also like to remind residents to avoid riding at night when possible and to point out potential hazards to others when bicycling with a group.

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