Ville Platte Police teach kids about bicycle safety at event

By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor

For the Second Straight year the Ville Platte Police Department (VPPD) hosted a Bike Rodeo with the purpose of “teaching children about important bike safety rules and about protective equipment,” said Evangeline Parish Police Jury Vice President Ryan Williams. Along with learning bike rules, the children were also able to have their bikes checked out to make sure everything worked properly.
VPPD officer Shawn Duplechain said, “There are instances where juveniles have been struck by vehicles because they didn’t know necessary safety rules. We hope to teach the kids what they need to know before going out on the streets with their bikes.”
The officer of 14 years lead the bike safety training for the kids held at the old Stage parking lot. Before the children were able to take their bikes on a ride through the obstacle course, Duplechain checked each child’s bike’s breaks and tires to insure a safe ride.
 The bike check that Duplechain performed on each child’s bike allowed the children to see what they themselves need to make sure is working properly before taking their bike out on the streets.
Five-year-old R.J. Wilson was grateful that Duplechain checked his bike out stating, “I am glad the cop checked on my breaks for me and make sure they work.”
After the bikes were checked, the kids moved on to the obstacle course where they had to ride their bike on a spray painted line until reaching a stop sign, where they had to stop as if on a real road, displaying their understanding of the safety rule they had just been taught. Once they mastered this portion of the obstacle course the children took turns maneuvering through a row of seven cones to end the course.
All kids that participated in the bike safety and obstacle courses were given the chance to enter a drawing for a chance to win a brand new bike or safety gear which was provided by the police department. Ja’Brein Thomas, 10, won the brand new bike while 3 year-old Nahla Melbert’s name was drawn for the bag of safety equipment.
The VPPD also provided activities for the children to enjoy after completing their course in bike safety. There was a dunking booth, basketball goal and ball to play a game of pickup, and a blow-up fun jump.
It looks as if this event could become one that children may look forward to annually. VPPD police chief’s secretary Venita Doucet said, “Our hope is that we will be able to make this event bigger and bigger each year.”