Kid’s Safety A Major Focus

April 27, 2007

GREENWOOD, SC –  Uptown Greenwood, SC streets will be filled with some of the top amateur and professional bicycle racers in the world when the 5th Annual Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling Challenge returns to Greenwood Thursday, May 3, 2007.

The afternoon will also bring hundreds of aspiring athletes ages 5 to 14 into Uptown. “We have been very pleased with the growth of the events geared towards youth during the annual Uptown bike race,” said Greenwood State Farm agent Frank Coyle.  Coyle coordinates the annual youth bicycle safety clinic and rodeo.

The bike rodeo is a bicycle safety ‘class’ featuring bike safety inspections and a safety lecture about the rules of the road. This is followed by a ride on a miniature "chalk street" course set up in the Uptown Fountain Parking Lot where young cyclists are shown where and how to apply the rules.

According to statistics from the Safe Kids Coalition, kids are at risk for bicycle-related injuries because kids, more than 70 percent of 5-to 14-year-olds, ride bicycles.

This age group also rides about 50 percent more than the average bicyclist. So it's not hard to understand why they also account for approximately one-quarter of all bicycle-related deaths and more than half of all bicycle-related injuries.

“Our goal is to show youth that it’s cool to wear a bike helmet,” said Greenwood Safe Kids  Coalition Coordinator Marc Latham.  

“Head injuries are the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes,” Latham continued.  “We must do everything we can to insure that youth learn to wear their helmet every time they ride their bike.” Children are invited to participate in a bicycle rodeo, a safety clinic and a bike helmet fitting starting at 5:30 p.m.

Helmets and other items will be given while supplies last. Children wishing to enter youth races must have a helmet and have a parent present to sign a waiver form. 

Children’s bicycle races will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the same course the pros will use.  This is the event where children from the ages of 5-14 are allowed out onto the race course to experience the same thrills that the Pro riders experience. 

Depending on the age group, the race is a ‘straightline’ drag race on Main Street on the same course used by the Pro's.  You will see everything from bikes with streamers, baskets, training wheels, bmx bikes, mountain bikes and some road bikes. 

Participating youths can enter a drawing for one Giant Modem Black BMX youth bike ($240 value) compliments of Greenwood’s Performance Cycle. No purchase is necessary.

During the evening of the bike race, Uptown Greenwood streets will be blocked off to traffic. Vendors will be set up along the race route, selling barbecue, hot dogs, drinks, ice cream, etc., and restaurants will be open.

The race will go on as scheduled rain or shine. Among the events planned include a Live After Five concert beginning at 5 p.m. at the Countybank Plaza featuring Augusta, GA’s Sabo and the Scorchers.

For additional information, visit www.uptowngreenwood.com or call (864) 942-8448.