Machias-area children to learn bike safety

MACHIAS – More than 100 Machias-area elementary school pupils may be a little safer this summer after a bike safety rodeo.

The event, sponsored by the Masons of Maine, drew 115 children to the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School on Saturday.

Each of the children received a free safety helmet and participated in a bicycle clinic featuring safety inspections and a short presentation on the rules of the road.

The young riders tested what they learned on a miniature “chalk street” course set up in the school parking lot.

Patrick Whitney of the Harwood Masonic Lodge said members of the Harwood and Warren lodges decided to sponsor the event because of the large number of accidents involving children on bicycles.