Optimists sponsor bicycle safety check

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Maricopa’s Optimist Club sponsored a bicycle check clinic Saturday morning for local youth. This annual event promotes bicycle safety. The Optimists provide helmets for young riders who do not have them.

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Optimist Ted Ledbetter provides a new helmet for Alicia Castro.

Event coordinator Ted Ledbetter explained, “This project is in keeping with our club motto, which is Friend of Youth.” He noted that all parts of the child’s bicycle are checked, including brakes, chains, tires, handlebars and reflectors. Each child rides around and through cones to test his or her riding ability.

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Daniel Salinas and Preston Miskanis are ready to ride.

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Daniel Salinas shows his bicycle riding abilities.

According to a pamphlet published by the Ak-Chin Police Department, “A bicycle is not a toy. It’s a vehicle.” Some startling facts about bicycle injuries are:
· More than one third of all bicyclists killed are between the ages of 5 and 20.
· Hospital emergency rooms treat 500,00 bicycle-related injuries annually.
· Head injuries are the most serious in bicycle accidents.
· Fifteen states have enacted bicycle helmet laws.

The Optimist Club of Maricopa celebrated its twentieth anniversary in September. The group, under the direction of president Grace Gomez, meets every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Headquarters Restaurant. Currently there are 28 members. Fundraisers and community service projects are all based on improving the lives of young people and their families here in Maricopa.

Optimist clubs have been “bringing out the best in kids” worldwide since 1919. Over 100,000 members serve their communities in 3,200 clubs. Their name indicates their goal of being committed to an optimistic view of life.

Maricopa Optimists will be sponsoring another community event on Easter Sunday, March 27, at 1 p.m. The 19th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place at Rotary Park, across from the library and adjacent to the swimming pool. According to Ledbetter, “This is a family event with prizes in different categories. After the kids get done, the adults get to hunt.” For more information, contact Grace Gomez at 568-2407 or Ted Ledbetter at 568-2679.

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Deputy Paul Licano talks to the kids about bicycle safety.