Grab your bicycle and helmet and head over to Weston Regional Park on Friday, August 9th, from 6-8pm, for the Family Bike Ride & Expo. The free program is hosted by the City of Weston, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the YMCA of South Florida.
Denise Barrett-Miller, Director of Communications for the City of Weston, says this event was planned to promote the importance of bike safety education to the community’s youth and families and to provide a fun family outing before the start of school.
She says reinforcing bicycle safety rules is especially important as children will soon be riding to and from school. “Children and adults need to learn and practice the laws governing bicycles. Children must wear helmets for their protection if under 16 years of age and all bikes must have lighting equipment. Also, headsets are never to be worn when riding. These are just a few important laws.”
BSO will provide free helmet fitting. Child ID cards will also be distributed. In addition to promoting safety, the Family Bike Ride & Expo also promotes cycling as a form of exercise.
“Recreational biking is something the whole family can participate in,” explains Barrett-Miller. “It is a low-impact aerobic activity that helps create balance, increased cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, decreased stress levels and improved coordination, plus it’s fun!”
Everyone is invited to join the fun. Mayor Daniel Stermer and several of the City Commissioners, along with BSO Deputies and other Weston Department Directors, will be peddling around the park as they join residents for the Family Bike Ride.
To allow little ones to participate in the Family Bike Ride, the YMCA will host a Tot Bike Rodeo. This special section will have activities specifically geared towards smaller children, ages two to five.
All ages will be amazed by the BMX Trickstars show. During this incredible performance, professional BMX bike riders lead by example and teach kids the importance of bicycle safety. Each show includes flatland, tricks done on the ground, and high-flying Big Air tricks on a portable nine-foot tall 1/4 pipe and box jump. Tricks include 360s, tail whips, Superman jumps and backflips.
Barrett-Miller says while the event is all about fun, she hopes everyone leaves with new safety knowledge. “Weston is a family friendly community and we want everyone to not just feel safe but to be safe when they are out and about. It takes a little effort on everyone’s part – drivers need to slow down and have some extra patience for cyclists. Bicycles are considered vehicles and they have a right on the roadway as well. On school days, we have literally hundreds of children in school zones each morning and afternoon. It is essential that everyone know and follow the rules of the road and we’ll all be safe and have an enjoyable time each day.”