Salem Public Schools, in partnership with Massachusetts’ Safe Routes to School, held a bike rodeo on October 27 at the Bates Elementary School for the 2nd grade students. The bike rodeo provided training about the rules of the road, hand signals and overall safety tips, along with emphasizing the importance of wearing a bike helmet at all times when riding.
Each child attending the bike rodeo received a new helmet, which was generously donated by Mazow McCullough, PC, a personal injury law firm located at Derby Square in Salem. Rob Mazow and Kevin McCullough, partners and co-founders of the law firm, were on hand to help each child choose a preferred color and fit their helmet. Rob and Kevin also reminded everyone that in Massachusetts, the use of helmets is required by those 16 and under, and is also recommended for all other users.
In attendance at the bike rodeo were Mayor Kim Driscoll, Superintendent of Schools Margarita Ruiz, Bates Elementary School Principal Tom Milaschewski, Salem Public Schools Communications Chief Kelley Rice, and other school staff who helped the students navigate the various training stations. The students had a great time strutting their new helmets and learning the rules of the road. Additional bike rodeos will be held in November for 2nd graders attending the Bentley, Horace Mann and Saltonstall Elementary Schools. Each child attending the bike rodeo and safety training will receive a free helmet courtesy of Mazow | McCullough, PC.
Safe Routes to School works with schools, communities, students, and families to increase biking and walking among elementary and middle school students in the Commonwealth. It promotes a collaborative, community-focused approach that fosters mutual partnerships between advocacy groups, law enforcement, education leaders, and public health departments that all work together to promote safer routes for elementary and middle school students to get to school.
