National Bike Safety Month

During the month of May the Rancho Cordova Police Department will be launching Larry Canfield's “Use Your Head Bike Safety Program.”  After responding to several accidents involving children on bicycles who were not wearing helmets, Larry became passionate about educating the children in Rancho Cordova about the importance of wearing a bike helmet while riding as well as the importance of following the rules of the road. 
In conjunction with the Crime Prevention Unit, the Police Activities League, and Mercy General Hospital,  the Rancho Cordova Motor Unit developed the “Use Your Head” program which will focus on educating youth ages 5-14.  This multi-faceted program will utilize safety presentations, newspaper articles, school announcements, website announcements and a bike rodeo to reach out and help educate not only the youth but their parents and citizens as well.

Some of the Rancho Cordova Police Department highlights of Bike Month are:

• May 1 – 15 – Media campaign explaining the various helmet and safety laws
• Information will be provided to local news outlets, schools, RCPD website and the PAL website.
• May 16 – 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Bike Rodeo at White Rock Park
• The bike rodeo will be a safety clinic featuring bike safety inspections, safety lectures about the rules of the road, helmet fittings and a miniature bike course for young cyclists to learn where and how to apply the rules.  Mercy General Bike Club will be on hand to educate the youth on bike maintenance and provide helmet fittings.  Deputies will be teaching bike safety and Sheriff’s Explorers will be leading the kids through the bike course.
• May 18 – 22 – Presentations available to the local schools
• May 25 – 30 – Warning period
• A warning period will be in effect in Rancho Cordova.  Officers will be stopping kids riding without helmets and or not following the rules and giving them warnings.  A mock citation or a “warning citation” will be given to the kids with a copy of the rules and a certificate for a free helmet if they do not have one.
• May 31 – No tolerance crack down begins. 
• Officers will begin citing the offending youth.

Free helmets, courtesy of Mercy General Hospital and Families First will be available on a limited basis to those who need a helmet.  Children requesting a helmet must visit the Rancho Cordova Police Department with a parent to obtain a helmet.  At the time the helmet is given to the child, a copy of the rules will also be given to them.  Helmets will be available on a first come first served basis beginning May 18, 2009.

Police Activities League Announcement in Word

Police Activities League Announcement in PDF

Mercy General Hospital Announcement In Word

Mercy General Hospital Announcement in PDF