Bicycle safety rules are important year-round

        Every year in the springtime, I have written a column about bicycle safety, since that’s the time of the year when kids are anxious to head outside on their bikes after being couped up all winter.
        However, at a recent Neighborhood Watch meeting, I was asked to write another column on the topic of bicycle safety because of issues being experienced in that area of Lake Township.
        A resident reported watching young children racing their bikes down their own driveway, across the street and into the driveway of a neighbor across the street. I was told the kids are riding way too fast and that they would likely not be able to stop in time if a car were coming down the street. What a catastrophe that would be.
        Parenting is not an easy job these days, and the responsibilities are tremendous, however, parents and caretakers must ensure kids in their care are safe by watching for risky behaviors and thoroughly discussing bicycle safety.
        The parents of the kids involved in this incident may have even thought they had given proper instructions in safe bicycle practices. When a child gets hurt, it doesn’t much matter why the incident happened; it only matters that a child was hurt.
        I urge all parents and those who are responsible for overseeing children to review bicycle safety issues. I would also like to take this opportunity to advise adults in charge to pay attention, not just to what their kids are doing, but also to what they are watching, typing and texting. The internet and social media are full of things that are harmful to children. If they get mad about your invasion of their privacy, tell them it’s tough cookies. They need to know you care and are doing your job as a parent.
        This article is a public service from the Community Policing/Crime Prevention Division of the Lake Township Police Department. Township residents may obtain further information on crime prevention and public safety topics by contacting Ron Craig, crime prevention specialist/community policing officer, at 419-481-6354.