Officer Bender Talks Bikes

First and second grade students at Grand Prairie Elementary School spent their gym period on Tuesday, May 17 with the police--Frankfort's Officer Leanne Bender to be exact.

As part of National Bike Safety month, Officer Bender shared bicycle safety tips with the students, with the goal of teaching them to use their brains to protect their brains.

Bender told students to remember their A, B, C's as they get ready to ride. First, have your parents help you check the air in the tires and make sure they're properly inflated, said Bender.

Second, check the brakes to make sure they're working correctly.

Third, check the crank and chain to make sure they're moving well.

"Your mom or dad might need to add a little oil," Bender finished.

After the bikes are prepped, riders should make sure they've got the right protective gear. Hands shot up throughout the room when Bender asked the number one thing students need to wear when biking.

"That's right. A helmet! Give me a high five," Bender praised.

To demonstrate the value of helmets, Bender brought out her friend Safety Sally, an egg encased in foam. Recruiting a student from the audience, Bender asked her volunteer to predict Sally's fate if she were dropped on her head and then allowed that to happen.

As expected, Sally survived quite nicely.

Next, Bender found another student to demonstrate what happens to Forgetful Fred when he doesn't wear his helmet.

Sadly, Fred did not fare so well when Bender's volunteer dropped him. In fact, he was quite broken up about his fate.

"This is what happened to his head," Bender said as her volunteer showed the baggie full of crushed egg shell and runny egg yolk to the other students.

"It didn't work out so well. This is why we have to wear a helmet, to protect our brains," she added.

Bender shared a variety of other tips with the students that parents can also use to talk about bike safety with their children:

• Wear light or bright colors when riding your bike.
• Always walk your bike when crossing the street or train tracks.
• If your bike has one seat, it should only have one rider.
• Wear tie shoes when bike riding and make sure your laces are tied tightly.
• Walkers have the right of way on a sidewalk. Be careful when passing them.
• Put reflectors on your bike for better visibility, and if you have to ride at night, the law says you must have a light on your bike.

For more information on bicycle safety, contact Officer Leanne Bender at the Frankfort Police Department at (815) 469-9435.