A Niles Police Department project aimed at teaching young bicyclists, from toddlers to teens, the basics of bike safety was funded entirely through a grant awarded by ComEd and the National Safety Council.
The roughly $7,600 grant was one of 17 awarded to northern Illinois municipalities by ComEd and NSC in support of local safety natives, according to a statement from the agencies. The total amount awarded to all municipalities was over $137,000.
The Niles Police Department purchased Safety Town, a mobile piece of equipment designed to provide children and teens with an understanding of stop signs, intersection crossings and additional education about cycling on city streets, in February, said Niles Sgt. Robert Tornabene.
Safety Town includes mock buildings, stop signs, directional signs and a rollout tarp to be used a roadway, he said, in addition to small bicycles and a 4-wheel pedal car for younger cyclists. Teens are welcome to use their own bicycles, Tornabene said.
The inspiration for the project originates with the village’s longterm plan to create more bike lanes and, in general, become more bike friendly municipality, he said.
“(Police Chief Dennis McEnerney) felt it would be beneficial to have an education program—we didn’t have one in the past—to educate kids about bike lanes, safety and stopping at intersections so we don’t have those issues occur,” Tornabene said.
The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization whose aim to prevent injury and death in communities, is in charge of administering the grants, according to a statement.
“These grants empower communities to reduce day-to-day risks and prioritize residents’ well-being,” said Kathy Lane, NSC’s senior director of public relations. “We are proud to recognize Niles, not just for its dedication to safety, but for its creativity as well.”
Tornabene said the department initially looked into the possibility of creating a brick and mortar structure to teach children and teens the basics of bike safety, but “the cost is so astronomical… some upwards of $200,000 to build.”
The mobile Safety Town provided an ideal alternative, he said, because of its low cost and mobility.
The equipment was first rolled out to the public during the village’s Bike Niles Fest in June.
Tornabene said Safety Town “was pretty well-received” at its public debut.
The equipment, he said, will be used for future events. Safety Town and the associated education programming is managed by the police department’s bike unit, Tornabene said.
Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.