John Benenate
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From: John Benenate <jo-@kidsofbike.org>
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 11:24:32 -0700
Subject: Kids on Bikes at SEI
Dear Friends,
Kids on Bikes put safety first, proving "Life has Options" in Unthank Park
Monday, July 8th. American Medical Response brought bicycle paramedics who
gave passionate testimony of life driving ambulance in the streets of
Portland.
"AMR's CEO, Randy Lauer, and myself are always looking for ways to keep
Portland's children safe, and we thought this was a great fit," said Lucie
Drum, Community Safety Education coordinator for American Medical Response.
Fourteen ten year olds and one shy eleven year old ran through a program of
helmet fit, safety talk, bike fit, "two columns" commuting formations, and
hand signals.
While sitting on the sidewalk, because everyone was allergic to grass,
children created a class with an ambulance as a back drop. The children
spoke openly about safety with three AMR Paramedics.
While they were "in class" children were served electrolyte replacement
drinks. "Many children were heard to say "ooh that?s nasty! Can I have some
more?"
AMR kindly donated helmets they then fit to the children's head. Both
elementary and middle school children will get to earn and keep helmets to
take home by the end of the program.
When racing started on the open track, the racing spirit was fierce.
The Time trial, the race against the clock was the first race. Melren Pichon
set the standard at 19.2 seconds.
Children raced around the track in a balmy 75 degrees on a one at a time
basis, while others looked on, cheering. . . and drinking electrolyte
replacement drinks.
On a pink girl's mountain bike, 10yr. old Camellia Lawson turned in the
fasted time of 18.1.
Ms. Jen Brinkman and Mr. Ken Legros of b.i.k.e, kept official Time.
John Benenate
503-234-8454
jo-@kidsofbike.org
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