Vouchers Issued to Kids While Safely Riding, Biking or Skating This Summer
Reading, MA — Chief Mark Segalla is pleased to announce that the Reading Police Department will be issuing tickets throughout the summer that children will likely be excited to receive.
To encourage bicycle safety, the Reading Police Department has teamed up with several businesses to reward children “caught” by police officers wearing their helmets while biking, skating, rollerblading or riding their scooters in town.
From now through the end of summer break, kids spotted wearing their helmets during these activities will receive vouchers from Reading police officers for a free slice of pizza or ice cream cone from one of eight pizza and ice cream shops.
“We want kids to stay safe this summer, no matter how they get around town, and this is a fun way to encourage them to ride safely and always wear a helmet,” Chief Segalla said. “I want to thank all of the Reading businesses who are supporting this program and helping us reward kids for safe behavior.”
The participating businesses are Cafe Capri, Anthony’s Roast Beef, Dandilyons Ice Cream, Pizza World, Reading House of Pizza, Columbo’s Pizza and Cafe, Richardson’s Ice Cream and Town Pizza.
Kids are also reminded of the following safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Reading Police:
- Wear a Properly Fitted Helmet. Protect your head and brain, save your life.
- Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if on a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level as the seat.
- Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work. When rollerblading or skateboarding, wear knee, wrist and elbow pads.
- Control Your Bicycle. Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. Carry books and other items in a bicycle carrier or backpack.
- Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, dogs, pedestrians and other bicyclists
- Go With the Traffic Flow. Ride on the right in the same direction that other vehicles are traveling. Go with the flow – not against it.
- Obey All Traffic Laws. A bicycle is a vehicle and you’re a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
Be Predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Signal your moves to others. - Look Before Turning. When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal before making the turn. Watch for left or right turning traffic.
