Over 200 children and their parents streamed into the wading pool area of Kennedy Park on May 20, 2012 for a two-hour opportunity to learn safe bicycling techniques and bicycle repair at an event organized by Mass In Motion Fall River and the Fall River Bike Committee, the event included a give-away of 200 helmets donated by the Kiwanis Club, Gifts to Give, BMC Health Plan and the Dick Melloni Foundation. Swansea BikeWorks owner helped children check their tires, chains, seats and handlebars. Fall River Police Officer Gary Atkinson organized a bicycle rodeo with the assistance of Officers John Robinson, Matt Silvia and Warren Francis. Bicycle Commission member Matt Cuvellier volunteered his time to make sure that bicycles were in good repair. "It was a wonderful event," commented Fall River Bike Committee chairman Brian Pearson. "It demonstrated that children are eager to learn how to ride safely and will do so once they have the skills and knowledge," he added. "The event also demonstrated the support of City Departments, including traffic and the parks department," noted Mass In Motion coordinator Julie Kelly.  Click here for the Herald News article. Click here for a video. Click here for information about an upcoming bicycle repair program for Durfee High School students. Click here for photos of Officer Atkinson teaching bicycle safety at the Tansey School. Click here for photos of a bicycle safety training for physical education teachers. For more information, contact Fall River Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly, at 508-324-2405 or Fall River Bicycle Committee Chairman Brian Pearson. (Photos courtesy of Brian and Karen Pearson)

(Top row)  Fall River Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly and Mayor Flanagan watch as over 200 children and their parents engage in the Safety Day activities as City Councilor Dave Dennis and a young man try on helmest with the assistance of Fall River Bike Committee member Deborah Roher. (Row two) Fall River Bike Committee member Robin Thorpe assists a girl with her new helmet as her mother watches before she tries out the slalom course. (Row three, left) Fall River Police Officer John Robinson signals a youngster to stop at the finish line of the slalom course. (Row three, center) Matt Cuvellier, a mechanic at SRTA's garage on Brayton Avenue, assists a young man with repairs to his bicycle. (Bottom row) Bike Committee member Frank Menenzes repairs a tire, Bob Polakowski of BikeWorks in Swansea adjusts a chain, and Kristen Gunderson Pacheco works on a girl's tire.