Colourful reminder to wear a helmet when riding or skating
Published on 14 September 2021
With stay at home orders in place and school holidays approaching, rising spring temperatures have seen a burst of young riders, skaters and scooters enjoying the network of parks and footpaths around the Singleton local government area.
So, it’s appropriate that September is Rural Road Safety Month, which aims to raise awareness of rural and regional road safety, including the importance of wearing a helmet.
Singleton Council and Transport for NSW are getting behind the initiative with a colouring competition for primary school aged students across the Singleton local government area, as a reminder to make sure they are wearing a correctly fitted helmet before they head out for scooting, riding or skating.
Children can turn their colouring talents to a scene of a bike ride taking in Singleton’s famous Sundial and playgrounds that can be downloaded from Council’s website.
Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said with $300 worth of Spend in Singleton vouchers up for grabs, children were encouraged to get their entries in by 5pm on 30 September 2021.
“As we’re all being told to stay at home unless we’re out exercising, we’re seeing more people taking advantage of the warmer weather to get outside on bikes, skateboards or scooters – and it’s great that the fantastic network of shared pathways we have across Singleton is being put to such good use,” she said.
“However, we can’t forget that about 15 per cent of bike riders killed or seriously injured on NSW roads were not wearing a helmet, which should be reason enough for all of us to make sure we’re properly protected before we head out.
“It is the law that all bicycle riders, regardless of age, must always wear an approved bicycle helmet that is securely fitted and fastened. But more important than enforcing road rules is ensuring that people are safe and that something as fun as a bike ride doesn’t quickly turn to tragedy.”
Children can follow these checks to ensure their bike helmet is protecting their head correctly:
- Can you place just two fingers between your eyebrows and your helmet?
- Can you fit just two fingers between the helmet strap and your chin?
- Do the straps join in a ‘V’ just below your ears?
- Has an adult double-checked your helmet?
Parents can find more information on keeping your child safe on wheels by visiting the parents’ section of www.safetytown.com.au/parents
The colouring competition is open to primary school aged children (Kindergarten to Year 6) in the Singleton local government area. Colouring competitions can be downloaded from Council’s website at singleton.nsw.gov.au and a photo of the completed entry emailed to council@singelton.nsw.gov.au by 5pm on 30 September 2021 to be in the running.
ENDS