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Schedule:  Sunday, May 16, 1-3 p.m.

Cost: Free health and safety event

Location: River Crest Elementary School, County Road F, Hudson

Registration: Contact Lynn Nelson, (715) 531-6543

The fourth annual Bicycle Safety Clinic will be held on Sunday, May 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at River Crest Elementary School on County Road F in Hudson. This event is co-sponsored by Hudson Hospital & Clinic, YMCA Camp St.  Croix, Art Doyle’s Spokes and Pedals of Hudson, and River Valley Trails.

“The Bike Safety Clinic’s goal is to reduce injury from bike-related accidents,” states Lynn Nelson, RN, event chair. “Chalked street stations are designed to mimic common accident problem areas that young cyclists may face. By educating parents and children on these pitfalls, we hope to increase safe bicycle riding on streets and roads and reduce injury to kids.”

Parents are invited to have children bring bikes and helmets for a safety and performance check performed by trained safety staff. Learn about the most current bike safety rules and practice them on the provided safety course.  The safety course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Bike and helmet safety information will also be available. Parent must be present. Families may take an easy bike ride through Camp St. Croix during the event.

The first bike safety clinic was held in 2007 and Art Doyle has co-sponsored the event for four years. River Valley Trails has been a co-sponsor since 2008. Last year the event saw 42 participants and 14 helmets were replaced. 

For bike riders aged 5 to 8, fifty percent of deaths occur when children ride into the road from a driveway or sidewalk without looking or stopping and get hit by a passing car. Nationwide, cyclists running a stop sign are the number one cause of injury-producing bicycle/car crashes. Accidents also occur when young cyclist swerve suddenly to the left without looking back or yielding. By educating parents and children on these areas, we hope to encourage safe bicycle riding on streets and roads.

This summer bike helmets will be available to Hudson Hospital & Clinic Emergency Center pediatric patients who are involved in bicycle accidents. Helmets will be given to children who don’t have a helmet and are seen for injuries related to a bike accident. This program is being sponsored by the Emergency Center Unit Practice Council. For more information contact Lynn Nelson, RN, trauma prevention coordinator, Hudson Hospital & Clinic at (715) 531-6543.

Hudson Rotary Donates to Hudson Hospital & Clinic Bike Safety Clinic

At the May 2010 Hudson Day Break Rotary meeting, Lynn Nelson, trauma prevention coordinator, accepted a check for $500 on behalf of Hudson Hospital & Clinic trauma outreach program and the Bike Safety Clinic event.  The funds are used to purchase bike helmets and supplies in support of the Bike Safety Clinic event.