OPP: Bicycles Are Back The following message was received from the East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police: BICYCLES ARE BACK (Elliot Lake, Ontario) – Spring weather is here and with it our children on bicycles. Parents should make a few simple safety checks to ensure a season of collision free bicycling for their children. Before giving your child his or her bike it should be sized to make sure it is still the right fit for the child. Other equipment to check is: – the chain should fit snugly – brakes checked for proper operation – tires inflated to recommended pressure – horn or bell in good working order – reflectors white at the front/red at the rear – make sure no spokes are bent or broken – check that pedals are on securely and in good condition – if night riding, a headlight is required After checking the bike, parents should have their child take a short ride with the bike in a safe area to ensure it is working properly. This will help spot any potential problems before they get too far from home. Each year children will be seriously injured or die in bicycle collisions and most of them from head injuries. You cannot predict when a collision will happen but you can prepare for one. Up to 85% of serious head injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet. It is important to wear a helmet whenever riding and it is also the law for those under the age of 18 years. Please do not let your child become a statistic, have them practice safe bicycling and that means wearing an approved helmet every time they get on a bicycle, states Inspector Percy Jollymore, Detachment Commander.