Recognition is due to the Vision 2020 Bike-Walk Trail committee and volunteer event leader Dick Schindler for coordinating the Bike Safety Bash at Lions Park on May 18, 2014.

Volunteers distributed 160 helmets to children and adults in our community in about an hour. Another 63 helmets will be distributed to those on the waiting list. These helmets will help make the cycling season safer for 223 individuals in our community.

Residents were also able to view a draft of the Safe Routes to Schools plan for six schools in Austin and visit with community planning experts on how to make our neighborhoods safer for biking and walking.

The Bike Safety Bash was supported by the YMCA of Austin, Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea Austin, Mower Refreshed, Mower County SHIP, Austin Police Department, Gold Cross Ambulance, the Hormel Foundation, Rydjor Bike Shop and the Southern Minnesota Bike Club. This year, our friends from KAUS were there to collect wheels for their Bikes for Tykes program.

At Vision 2020, residents contact us with safety concerns about safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers. We agree that this is an on-going concern and expect to implement safety projects recommended by Safe Routes to Schools starting this fall. All residents are encouraged to visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sharetheroad for information about the ‘Rules of the Road’ for bicyclists and motor vehicle driving.