Protect your head!
Hundreds of children and adults came out to Canarsie Pier to get fitted for free helmets at Bike Bonanza on July 15. The event raises bike safety awareness by demonstrating to bike riders how to maneuver their two or four-wheelers and properly wear their headgear, said a local mom who brought her daughter.
“They showed us how to make them fit properly and how the helmet is supposed fit over the ears — it was good information,” said Patricia Bertrand, who came with her 6-year-old, Madison.
Bike safety experts measured dozens of heads and fitted guests for helmets that they could keep. They also gave a step-by-step tutorial on how to put it on.
Bertrand says that before the event she did not know how to properly fit or wear a helmet, and just bought whatever one her daughter picked out. But with the guidance of the bike pros, she learned some valuable and protective measures.
“I didn’t realize there was a way it was supposed to fit, because they don’t give classes on this, and I go to store and just buy helmets with the characters that she likes,” she said. “Before, I was not exactly sure, and I didn’t even know it’s supposed to fit over your forehead.”
Bikers also got to swap bikes, participate in to a raffle, and even learn to kayak, according to Bertrand.
She adds that her daughter — a self-taught rider and fresh off of training wheels — loved the demonstration, and even got to show other kids her balancing moves.
“She thinks it was great — she just learned how to ride bike without it and she swears she’s a pro at it —she was showing a boy how to ride his bike,” said Bertrand.
And Bertrand says that her daughter’s newfound mastery will even help her in the future if she forgets.
“It’s good she likes riding and knows how to wear her helmet now. Even if I don’t know what she knows, she can show me,” she said.
