Pratt Regional Medical Center - Bicycle Safety

What is it?

The Pratt Health Foundation (PHF), the philanthropic branch of Pratt Regional Medical Center, sponsors an annual bicycle safety program at area elementary schools. After school, during the month of April, PHF Director DeWayne Bryan educates elementary school students about bicycle safety as they ride bicycles together.

Students at Haskins and Southwest schools go on a bicycle ride for about 30 minutes two days a week with Bryan. Southwest students ride on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Haskins students ride on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sacred Heart and Skyline students are also invited.

After initial lessons are taught, the students go on a specially designed three-mile ride through Pratt. Each route has a “killer hill” to challenge the muscular development of the students. The bicyclers are followed by the staff of the Pratt County Health Department in case of emergency or mechanical breakdown. Community Service Coordinator Peggy Lee and selected helpers watch the traffic when the group crosses busy intersections. Participating students receive a participation certificate. Those with perfect attendance receive an additional certificate for a new bike helmet from the Pratt County Health Department. Helmets are provided by the Foundation and the Pratt Pilot Club. The Foundation concludes the program with a yearly drawing for a new bike. Students who did not miss more than three times or who didn't receive more than three tickets could be entered in the drawing for the bike. Tickets are given to students who do not use the proper signals on their bikes and/or don't listen to instructions.

Who is it for?

Third- and fourth-grade elementary school students.

Why do they do it?

This program was started in 1996 with a Kansas Health Foundation grant and has been offered ever since. This program teaches the rules of the road, how to use hand signals, safe riding habits, the benefits of physical activity and how to use a bicycle helmet.

Impact

In all, 317 students have participated in the Bicycle Safety & Fitness program.

Contact: DeWayne Bryan
Executive Director, Pratt Health Foundation
Telephone: 620-672-6411
E-mail: dbryan@prmc.org