Bicycle Rodeo at Fowler Park Friday

Forsyth County parents and children are invited to Fowler Park on Friday, March 13, for an Afternoon in the Park Bicycle Rodeo.

Safe Kids Forsyth, an organization dedicated to preventing unintentional childhood injury, has partnered with local public safety agencies, organizations and businesses to host the event.

More children ages 5 to 14 are seen in the emergency room for a bicycle-related injury than any other sport, according to a news release from Forsyth County Department of Communications. And bicycle injuries are the cause of more childhood injuries than any other consumer product, second only to cars.

The Afternoon in the Park Bicycle Rodeo aims to raise awareness about bicycle safety while offering a fun activity for both kids and parents. Cyclists will ride along the path and visit a series of safety stations to work on balance, control, maneuvering and stopping.

The event is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to bring their own bicycle and helmet. After check-in for the event, bicycles will be inspected for safety and helmets will be inspected to ensure they fit properly.

“It’s important for bicyclists to wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride,” said firefighter Laura Coleman, the Safe Kids Forsyth coordinator. “A helmet is the singl emost effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle accident, but many children still do not wear them. We have a simple saying, ‘Use your head. wear a helmet.’”

While supplies last, any children who arrives at the event and does not own a helmet or whose helmet does not fit properly will be provided with a free helmet.

The event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. as Friday is a scheduled early dismissal day from Forsyth County Public Schools for parent-teacher conferences.

-- Patch file photo.