Wallingford residents take bike safety seriously, and have for quite some time. Right now organizers are getting ready for the town's 17th annual Wallingford Community Bike Safety Day.There is a carnival atmosphere to the event, which features face painting, prize giveaways and refreshments alongside helmet fittings and bike safety inspections. There is also a bicycle obstacle course and a chance to tour a rescue vehicle and meet local law enforcement.
The event is modeled after a program initiated by the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute and New England Medical Center, in Boston. The Wallingford event was started in the late 1990s by resident Brad Kelley.
"Over the years he enlisted the aid of Rotary, many local businesses and volunteers to fund, facilitate and diversify this project," an event announcement states of Kelley. "To date, major sponsors are the Wallingford Rotary & the GE Volunteers, rallied by Rodney Ward."
The 2015 Wallingford Community Bike Safety Day takes place Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at the Wallingford Elementary School.