RCMP – 
Fire/Ambulance – 
Blizzard information – 
Public Service Announcement
Youth Bike Safety Event
June 10, 2024 – Iqaluit, Nunavut
The City of Iqaluit Municipal Enforcement department, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), hosted a bike safety event for the Kindergarten and Grade 1 students of Nakasuk School on June 10, 2024.
With more than 150 students participating, officers provided essential training on how to stop, follow hand signals, and other basic bike safety skills.
Program Highlights:
- Safety Workshops: Students learned the rules of the road, how to fit helmets properly, and essential bike maintenance tips. These workshops emphasized the importance of safety gear and basic bike checks to prevent accidents.
- Practical Training: Hands-on sessions allowed students to practice safe riding techniques in a controlled environment. They learned how to stop safely, make turns, and use hand signals, all under the guidance of trained professionals.
- Fun Activities: Engaging games and challenges were designed to reinforce safe cycling habits. These activities made learning fun and interactive, helping students to remember important safety practices through play.
To keep our young cyclists safe, here are some important bike safety tips that every parent and child should know:
- Helmet Safety: Ensure children wear properly fitted and secure helmets. Studies indicate that children aged 10 to 14 are the least likely to wear helmets, making this an important habit to develop early. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries and can save lives.
- Visibility: Use reflective stripes on clothing and bicycles, and equip bikes with flickering lights, even during daylight hours, to increase visibility to motorists. This can help prevent accidents by making sure that cyclists are seen by drivers from a distance.
- Safe Routes: Avoid busy streets and parking lots. Opt for quieter and safer routes whenever possible. Encourage children to ride in areas with less traffic to reduce the risk of collisions.
- Traffic Rules: Teach children to understand and obey traffic rules when cycling on the road. This includes stopping at stop signs, riding on the right side of the road, using hand signals to indicate turns, and being aware of their surroundings at all times.
- Buddy System: Encourage children to bike with a friend, especially when they are cycling without parental supervision. Agree on a return time, stick to familiar routes, and avoid secluded areas. Biking with a friend not only makes the ride more enjoyable but also ensures that help is available if needed.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success. Let us continue to promote bike safety and ensure a fun, safe cycling experience for all our young riders in Iqaluit!
##
For additional information, please contact:
Geoff Byrne
Communications and Customer Service Manager
City of Iqaluit
867-979-5619
