For the second year in a row, ThinkFirst Navajo, Eve’s Fund’s injury prevention program, co-sponsored the annual Kayenta Bike Rodeo. The rodeo was held July 27, 2022 in Kayenta, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. ThinkFirst Navajo supplied safety helmets to 41 participating students, primarily in kindergarten through 6th grade.
We were pleased to partner with the Indian Health Service (IHS), Kayenta Health Center’s School Health Program, and the Kayenta Boarding School, with assistance from the Kayenta Township Police and Fire Departments and other IHS and Navajo Nation affiliates. Ms. Ernestine Cleveland, Kayenta Health Center’s School Health Education Coordinator, oversaw the event with assistance from volunteers and other team members.
Many of the children who participated arrived at the event without bikes but, thankfully, the Kayenta Boarding School purchased 18 new bikes for the kids to use during the event and to be used throughout the school year, whenever and wherever needed.
Bike rodeos promote health, exercise and safety
Bike rodeos are events at which young cyclists practice their bike handling skills and receive safety training from skilled instructors. The objective is to reduce the likelihood of crashes and injuries. These engaging and fun events have been popular nationwide for many years but this year’s event was even more so, as Navajo kids are emerging from the ravages of the COVID 19 pandemic.
This rodeo was a positive event in their lives and a great way to start the school year.
Causes of kids’ bike crashes
Based on crash data, according to reporting by Cornell University, the three big causes of bike crashes for kids are:
• Riding out of a driveway/side road without stopping
• Failing to stop for stop signs
• Suddenly swerving without looking back
Other common causes include riding on the wrong side of the street, and riding at night without proper lighting and reflective clothing. It has also been shown that a vast majority of crashes and serious injuries in children don’t involve cars: the cyclist simply loses control of the bike and crashes to the ground.
Importance of wearing a helmet at all times
The importance of wearing a safety helmet at all times while riding was emphasized during the rodeo. All the participating children were properly fitted with a helmet and taught about the importance of always wearing the correct size helmet.
Navigating the Obstacle Course
After being properly fitted with a shiny new helmet provided by Eve’s Fund and undergoing a bicycle safety check (e.g. tires, brakes, etc.), the students navigated an obstacle course with seven stops where key safety skills were reinforced. The objective was to ensure each child knew how to operate his or her bike safely. Skills to be mastered included: mounting and dismounting the bicycle, changing direction and turning in circles, steering through tight spaces, having the ability to stop quickly, using proper hand signals to indicate turns, and properly navigating stop signs, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
Helmets on Heads Pledge
Upon successful completion of the Kayenta Bike Rodeo program, the young participants received a certificate. The students also signed the “Helmets on Heads” form, pledging to wear their safety helmet at all times and encouraging their friends and family to do the same.
Helmets on Heads is a national helmet safety education campaign started in 2012 by Schwinn, in partnership with ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation, with the primary goal of reducing head injuries from bicycle-related crashes.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.”
-The Talmud
Help us put more helmets on heads!
Support our Safety Helmet Program: Help us save lives and prevent injuries in at-risk youth
We were pleased that the number of participating children was more than double last year’s rodeo attendance, due to the decreasing restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. With support from Friends of Eve’s Fund, we look forward to expanding our sponsorship of bike rodeos across the Navajo Nation in the year ahead. Every $12 donated, will provide a certified, high-quality helmet to an at-risk Native American child. Please consider supporting this important program by making an online donation through our secure website by clicking the link below and choosing the “ThinkFirst Navajo – Kids Safety Helmets” designation. If you prefer to donate off-line, you can mail a check to: Eve’s Fund, PO Box 3592, Newport, RI 02840. Please write “kids safety helmets” in the Memo line.
T h a n k Y o u !
For more information about any and all of our programs, contact us through our website at: https://evecrowellsfund.org/contact-us/.
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