Hundreds of keiki were introduced to the safety surrounding the world of bicycles and skateboards on Saturday when Wilcox Health hosted the 10th annual Bicycle and Safety Day at the hospital’s back parking lot, where members of the North Shore Lions Club crafted the bicycle enhancement course.
“We are proud that Bike and Skateboard Safety Day has become a favorite event for both our employees and our community,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Wilcox Medical Clinic. “What makes this event even more special is to be able to see some of our Kauai keiki grow up as their families return year after year. It means a lot, knowing that we’re helping to ensure the health and well-being of these kids.”
Some of those many young riders went home a bit happier, as their lucky tickets were drawn for the 55 free bicycles donated to the event by community sponsors, including Council Chair Mel Rapozo.
“This was so easy to do,” Rapozo said. “I just called them and gave them the money. They went out and picked the bicycle and purchased it.”
“There are a bunch of kids today who are going to go home with a brand new bike, and if you never had that experience and lived it — where you wanted something so badly and you just couldn’t get it — and you come here today, and you get it. I don’t know if people can appreciate what it means to the kid and his or her parents.”
Adding to the joy of new wheels, Keiki and their parents flocked to the special station, crewed by Wilcox staff and student helpers, that measured young bicyclists for the proper fitting of free bicycle safety helmets.
Their bicycles, either the ones they won or the ones they brought from home, were given a safety inspection by bicycle professionals before being let go by Kauai Path on the bicycle enhancement course, where Keiki was tested for proper hand signals, safely navigating turns, and even balancing on a bike where the last to finish was the winner.
“We have a new introduction to e-bikes and a guide to clarifying the mystique of those machines,” said Dr. Randy Blake of Kauai Path. “This is a start, and the Kauai Police Department has come in to help publish these guides. This is just a step toward clearing up the e-bikes.”
Kauai Skate Ohana and Play Streets Kauai had their hands full of keiki who wanted to learn how to ride the skateboards.
Families could enjoy the free water and healthy snacks from Wilcox’s Food and Nutrition team while learning more about concussion prevention, disaster preparedness and exercises.
“We are committed to creating healthier communities, and this family-friendly event is a part of that,” Chahanovich said.
Source: The Garden Island
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