A Kiwanis project that started 25-years ago in Atlantic, continues with their mission of keeping kids safe while on a bicycle. Kiwanis member Steve Green said it all started with a Bell Helmets advertisement in a magazine.

After he got the go ahead to incorporate a bike safety program, Green called then Atlantic Police Chief Roger Muri, he wanted to get involved and sent his – at that time – Officer Steve Green to work with the program. It wasn’t long afterward that Barb and Dave Chase with Nishna Valley Trails got involved, to share their experiences and expertise in riding bikes.

Bell Helmets used local newspaper articles about the program to start other programs across the nation. To date, there are 5,000 similar programs established across the country for kids’ bicycle safety.

During the third year of the program, if a child’s helmet was damaged while being used, it would be replaced. In one such instance, a girl’s helmet broke into three pieces, but she didn’t suffer any injuries to her head. Atlantic’s program was also a part of Bell’s test program of a new helmet design.

The Kiwanis are giving helmets to third-graders in Atlantic and the CAM School District. The Griswold Optimists buy helmets for third-graders in Griswold, as well. Home school kids are also invited to attend the bicycle safety program. This year school has a “No Visitor” policy, so the program is not available. Last year the Bicycle Safety Program was put on hold due to COVID, but kids were still given helmets. They were placed inside their lockers for them to take home free of charge.

The discounted helmets still cost the organization $32,000 over the course of the 25-years the program has been in existence. Green says he knows of at least a half-dozen kids who were saved from more serious injuries, through the use of a bike helmet. In addition to bicycle helmets, the Kiwanis donate teddy bears to emergency rooms to help settle down a child who may be upset due to their injuries. He says about 150 bears are given away each year at the hospital.

If you would like to become involved with the Kiwanis and helping youth in the area, call Steve Green at 243-1247.