Bicycle safety program set for Caribou pupils

CARIBOU – Second-graders from the Hilltop School will participate in the first “Trek Across Caribou” beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Pupils, parents and Caribou Rotarians will travel across the city in an effort to promote bicycling for safety, health and fun.

The trek has become a community effort, with the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department providing support with bike and helmet safety checks before the trek begins.

Rotarians and parents will ride with pupils and work at rest stops along the route. Rotarians also will provide bike helmets and T-shirts to all second-graders participating. The Caribou Police Department and fire and ambulance departments also will support the trek.

Tina Sleeper, second-grade teacher and founder of the trek, will lead the event. She recently received instructor training in bicycle safety through the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and has prepared an educational unit aligned with the Maine Learning Results and the Mainely Nutrition program. She and her pupils have developed a list of snacks for the trek rest stop.

An assembly will be held at 1:45 p.m. today at the school during which Sleeper will discuss bike safety with the second-graders and Rotarians will hand out bike helmets.