Bicycles are a terrific way for children to get recommended physical activity, but bicycles are also associated with more childhood injuries than any consumer product except the automobile. In order to encourage children to use bicycles safely, the Fall River Fire Department held a Bicycle Safety Day event at Community Development Recreation (CD-REC) headquarters on Bank Street on May 23, 2009. Children and their parents were given instruction on the safe use of bicycles, especially on city streets where encounters with automobiles present the greatest danger. Children also received free bicycle helmets and a lot of encouragement to wear them correctly and to use them whenever riding. A short video presented safety tips in a cartoon format. Massachusetts law requires all children under the age of thirteen to wear a helmet. For further information about CD-Recreation programs log onto their web site at www.cdrec.org or contact CD-REC at 508-679-0522 or Program Director Grace Gerling by e-mail. (Photos courtesy of Jamison Souza)

(Top row, left and center) CD-REC Executive Director Grace Gerling signs in at the registration table manned by Inspector Jeff Medeiros and Fall River Fire Department Prevention Director Mike Arruda. (Top row, right) Inspector Mediros helps Luke Eleuterio pick out a free helmet as his mother watches. (Middle row, left and right) Fire Department Prevention Director Mike Arruda assists Kaira Eleuterio with her helmet before offering some instruction to her and her mother and brother after the video. (Bottom row, left) Inspector medeiros helps a youngster with his helmet. (Bottom row, center) Inspector Jeff Medeiros, Alanna LeDasseur, Selena Pereira and Prevention Director  Arruda pose for a photo. (Bottom row, right) Kaira is pleased with the entire presentation.