Learning the Rules of the Road

Local law enforcement hosted a bike safety rodeo at the Platte Valley Community Center on Wednesday, April 24.

The purpose of the event is to educate young children on bike safety regulations such as wearing a helmet and abiding by traffic laws. It is also a good way for the children to interact with first responders who protect and serve the community.

Members of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Saratoga Police Department, and South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) were present at the bike safety rodeo. The young students rode their bikes to the Platte Valley Community Center with their teachers and student volunteers. While there, the children took part in bike safety game run by local law enforcement and SCWEMS.

The game taught children to obey traffic laws, avoid accidents and comply with speed limits. As part of the game, children would get ticketed if they violated any rules. If a student fell off their bike or bumped into another bike, they were required to visit SCWEMS.

SCWEMS Director Stayton Mosbey said this is a good way for students to explore the EMS vehicles and to understand that EMS is there to help those who get into an accident.

“This is a great safety event for the kiddos,” Mosbey said. “It teaches them ambulances are not scary and we are here to help. We may be strangers to them but we are also safe to talk to and they know to trust us to let us help them.”

Mosbey said he let the kids touch the equipment and to ask questions about how they use it. He said it’s a good way to help kids see what EMS does.

“We allowed the kids to touch the equipment and show them how we use the cardiac monitor,” Mosbey said. “They experimented with the equipment and it is a good way to teach them we are here to help them and anyone injured.”

Mosbey reminded the kids that wearing a helmet can reduce head injuries and save lives. Saratoga Police Sergeant Ken Lehr said he has been a part of this program for 12 years and said this bike rodeo is important for kids to learn about safety and reduce injuries.

“SPD has been doing this program since I started 12 years ago,” Lehr said. “Our department has been doing this for both pre-school and elementary schools. This is a good way to teach the kids bike safety and they can experience different stuff such as working on their balance. If they have any minor issues on their bikes we are here to help them.”

Lehr said that the kids look forward each year to this program. He said SPD will provide safety equipment for kids who need it.

“The kids look forward to it every year and we also look forward to doing this program with them,” Lehr said. “If kids do not have bike helmets, we go through different programs that donate helmets. We receive roughly 100 helmets from donations and it’s a great deal for the school and the community.”

Saratoga Police Officer Mac Holt said this is his first year being a part of the bike rodeo. He said the program helps build a bond with the children in the community and loves that he can help teach young kids about the importance of bike safety.

“This is a great time for the kids and local law enforcement to reach out to each other, Holt said. “We are glad that we can interact with the community.”

Those in need of a bike helmet or safety repairs to their bike are encouraged to visit the Saratoga Police Department.