Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/15/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Hilary Moores - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CHILD BICYCLE SAFETY RODEO HUGE SUCCESS DUE TO COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BICYCLE COALITION

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that as a result of the collaboration between the Sebastopol Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Sheriff’s Department,  the Sonoma County Bike Coalition, and the District Attorney’s Office, the September 20th  Child Bicycle Safety Rodeo was attended by more children than any other Bike Safety Rodeo to date.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, “Partnering with community organizations like the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, to educate and build children’s confidence in skills like cycling, is the type of collaboration that benefits everyone.” 

Bike Coalition organizer Tina Panza stated the Safety Rodeo was a “huge success”.  Panza noted that this was the most attended program to her knowledge and estimated that “approximately 80 to 100 children participated in the educational program and bike skills course”. 

Chief Jeff Weaver of the Sebastopol Police Department said, “I was glad to partner with District Attorney Passalacqua in helping our kids.”

During the Safety Rodeo, every child’s bicycle and helmet were inspected and adjusted by volunteer mechanics from the Sebastopol bike shop West County Revolution.  If a child did not have a helmet or it could not be properly fit, they were given a free helmet.  Children were taught safety rules such as sitting in proper riding position, obeying traffic signals, and using proper hand signals.  

They practiced their new skills on a bike course that had been set up in the Analy High School parking lot.  Volunteer Police Officers monitored the course offering encouragement while ensuring the use of  proper hand signals and skills.  After successful completion of the entire program, each child was presented with their picture laminated on an “Official Bicycle Drivers License”.