A+4 April 21 - May 4, 2007
Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
Fire chief from Page A+1
because of bike accidents and 250 of those injuries will “Bring your bike to a local bike shop and have them “If you wait until you’re on the bicycle and riding to
be fatal. Couch says 90 percent of parents surveyed check chains, the cassette, dry gears and break pads,” hydrate, that’s too late,” he insists. ”Hydration is very
believe wearing a bike helmet is important, but only suggests Couch. “You need to have good breaks on important during the summertime.”
60 percent of them wear a helmet themselves when your bicycle.” For more information on bicycle safety, paths, and
riding. As the temperature heats up, bike safety also laws, visit www.azbikeped.org.
“It is essential that adults model safe behavior,” he includes making sure your body is well hydrated
insists. “We’ve got to get bike helmets on everyone before heading out for a ride. Couch encourages riders
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer and lives with her husband
that rides.” to think ahead and consider drinking extra water the
and two small boys in Cooper Commons. She can be reached at
Natalie@SanTanSun.com.
Bike safety also includes making sure your bicycle night before or at least several hours before a planned
has regular tune-ups, just like a car. ride.
Pairing kids with bikes BMXers celebrate
Does the beautiful spring weather have your kids
begging for a bike? Cactus Bike owner Brian Anciaux
bike park opening
shares a few hints for making sure your little one’s new
bike is just right. Following a dedication ceremony at Espee Park on Sat., May
5, BMX bikers can experience the mole hill, jump box, double
When are kids ready for a bike?
roller, hubba ledge and sub rail at the new Chandler Bike Park,
Anciaux believes that while most kids younger than
a 23,000-square-foot BMX/freestyle bike riding facility.
2 1/2 won’t be ready, age isn’t really the key factor to
When is it time to upgrade to a different bike?
The free dedication festivities begin with professional bike
determine readiness. According to Anciaux, that decision is largely about riding demonstrations at 8:30 a.m., followed by appearances
“It’s more about coordination and maturity.”
personal preference and whether the child is riding
by Mayor Boyd Dunn and others at 10 a.m. From 10:30 a.m.
around the neighborhood, jumping at a bike park or
mountain biking.
until 12:30 p.m. riders are allowed into the park by age group
What’s the right size?
for 30-minute sessions. The park offi cially opens to all riders at
“But certainly if their knees are hitting the handlebars,
The fi rst thing to consider when matching a bike to
it’s time.”
1 p.m. The fi rst 400 riders to register at the event receive a free
your child is wheel size.
T-shirt.
“Have them sit on the bike and see how easily he
As the fi rst bike-only facility built by an Arizona municipality,
Which helmet should children wear?
can reach the pedals and how far over he has to lean thrill seekers will be pleased with the park’s many features,
to get to the handlebars.”
Cactus Bike staff recommend an adjustable helmet
with a snug, comfortable fi t.
including a 6-foot wall that combines with a 5-foot extension to
create a vertical surface a foot taller than a basketball hoop. The
“The most important thing is that it’s comfortable,
Should children use training wheels?
because if it’s an uncomfortable helmet the kids aren’t
park also offers a covered ramada inside the perimeter fence.
If you pick a bike with training wheels, remember
going to want to wear it,” Anciaux adds. Hours for the Chandler Bike Park are 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
most kids won’t need them for long. Make sure the daily during the summer and 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily in the
bike is still a good fi t and comfortable for your child
without training wheels.
Cactus Bike is located on the northwest corner of Alma
winter. On the last Tuesday of every month the facility is closed
School and Germann roads and is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday
until 2:30 p.m. for maintenance. Espee Park is located at 450
through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The store can
be reached at 480-782-5483 or www.cactusbike.com.
E. Knox Rd. For more information, visit www.chandleraz.gov/
bikepark.
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