Bicycle donations prompt local police to cover bike safety

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Story Published: Jan 6, 2009 at 4:35 PM PST

By Erica Rush

COOS BAY, Ore.- Local organizations hand out hundreds of bicycles for children on the South Coast this holiday season, which is why it's a good time to go over bike safety on and off the road.

Constructed and delivered by the North Bend and Coos Bay Fire Stations, along with city sanitation companies and Bykes for Tykes, more than 250 kids are now cruising around on two wheels.

Sargent Chris Chapanar with the Coos Bay Police Department says it's important to go over the equipment on your bike and body before going for a spin.

A must have, especially for bicyclist under 16 is a helmet, along with closed-toed shoes and reflective clothing. Also, make sure that you always check your brakes before heading out and replace reflectors, water bottles and bike locks if necessary. And when it comes to the road, make sure you're alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.

You're harder to see, you're a smaller object on the road and so just be aware of your surroundings, making sure you're stopping at the intersections and obeying the same laws that operators of vehicles are obeying on the roadways," says Sgt. Chapanar.

This trusty hand guide to bike safety can be found at the Coos Bay police department, along with officer assistance.

According to Chapanar, "Kids can come here and we'll run them through the proper procedure of operating a bicycle and make sure that they're going to be safe on the road."

You can make an appointment to go over your bike and rules of the road by calling the station at 269-8914.

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