SOUTH RIVER — Bicycle safety will be the focus of the borough’s annual Public Safety Day & Bicycle Rodeo on June 15, but there will also be opportunities to learn other ways to stay safe.
The event starts at 9 a.m. at South River High School, 11 Montgomery St.
The main purpose of the event, which started 16 years ago, is to showcase the various public safety services available to the residents of South River and to promote bicycle safety, according to Sgt. John McKenna of the South River Police Department.
About 75 percent of all bicyclists who die each year die of head injuries, and 85 percent of head injuries in bicycle accidents can be prevented by wearing a helmet, according to the Center for Head Injury Services.
In the days leading up to the event, McKenna said, borough police officers will be visiting schools to talk to students directly about bicycle safety. He said it is important for youngsters to know that the police are also there to help them before — not just after — they make a bad choice.
“I’d rather make our job easier by teaching these kids what can happen,” he said.
At the event, Planet Bike on Route 18 in East Brunswick will be performing bicycle safety inspections, and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a fingerprint program, which helps in identification purposes should a child go missing.
The borough police will be talking about issues such as stranger safety and traffic rules for bicycles, McKenna said.
Also scheduled to appear are borough and area municipalities’ emergency services organizations such as fire departments and rescue squads, as well as the county Special Operations Response Team, which specializes in the facets of hostage recovery — tactical maneuvering, communications, weapon use and negotiation techniques.
Also slated to appear is the state police’s NorthSTAR helicopter.
“It’s kind of like a celebration of public safety as well as bicycle safety,” McKenna said.
There will also be opportunities at the event for fun and games. The South River Police Benevolent Association Local 62 and the South River Superior Officers Association will have inflatable amusements and trailers for video games.
The first 200 attendees will receive a bicycle helmet, and there will bicycle giveaways.
In addition, hot dogs and drinks will be available at no charge.
While youngsters need not bring a bicycle in order to participate, those who do bring one must attend wearing a helmet, McKenna said.
Even if youngsters aren’t able to attend the event, there is one piece of advice McKenna stresses that everyone should have: “Always wear a helmet.”