Race for Safety course FAQs
Question 1: Should we have bike helmets available to buy or borrow at our Race for Safety course and where can we get them?
Answer: Every child who participates in a Race for Safety course must wear a helmet so bike helmets must be available. Here are several options to consider to make bike helmets available:
- A. In Indiana, contact a Riley Safety Store to see if an inventory of low-cost bike helmets can be purchased by your organization. Call 1-888-365-2022 (toll-free) to find the Riley Safety Store nearest you.
- B. Visit www.helmetsrus.net for information on how non-profit organizations can directly purchase bike helmets at low cost.
- C. Contract a local ThinkFirst program or Safe Kids Coalition or Chapter or Injury Free Coalition for Kids to see if free or low cost bike helmets would be available to you.
- D. Propose that a small inventory of different sized bike helmets be donated by a local business or community service organization for your group to use exclusively for Race for Safety courses.
Question 2: What happens to our Race for Safety course in case of bad weather?
Answer: Have a back up plan. Use a local school gym, hallway, banquet hall or something similar to adapt a course to an indoor space. If you have nothing like that at your access, cancel the event. Safety of everyone involved is the most important thing. Also, if bad weather creeps up during the event, evacuate the area immediately if you are outside, especially if you see lightening.
Have education activities on-hand for the children to pursue. See these links to helpful education resources and activities for your Race for Safety course:
- Riley Hospital for Children Riley Riders and Striders
- Your Children's Hospital
- ThinkFirst
- Clarian Health and ThinkFirst
- Safe Kids
- Automotive Safety Program: Indiana Safe Kids Coalition
- Injury Free Coalition for Kids
Question 3: How big does a Race for Safety course have to be?
Answer: You can make your Race for Safety course as extravagant or small as you like. This website gives you all the resources you would need for an event of any size. Pick and choose the aspects you need (such as a smaller event might not need a media release). The important thing is teaching other kids. You might just make a difference to that ONE kid and help to save his or her life by what you teach.
Question 4: What if we have no money to spend to support our Race for Safety course?
Answer: This event can be presented with little to no money. You can always look for donations of helmets from local businesses and sponsors. Check with teachers and youth group advisors at your school or in your community to see if you can borrow traffic safety cones, masking tape, and chalk. Ask people to help and bring supplies from home.
Question 5: Why should we include children with disabilities in a Race for Safety Course?
Answer: Children with disabilities are not defined by their disability; they are children first and like to play, move, and have fun just like other children! Every child should learn the rules of the road to safely travel by bicycle or wheelchair or whatever their mode of transportation may be. Every child wants to be treated with care and acceptance; physical appearance does not change the safety rules of the road. An all-inclusive Race for Safety course that incorporates this attitude will provide all children the opportunity to develop new knowledge, confidence, and skills that can prevent injuries and save lives!
