Put The Lid On

Last Sunday,  a group of people got together and rode their bikes (pedal not motor!) through the pathways and trails around the Dairy Queen on Baseline Road. There were big bikes and small bikes, Mums and Dads - and kids, some great kids who pedalled harder and faster than their parents (especially at the end of the trip when the Dairy Queen was in sight and they could smell the Blizzards!)

Most families rode with the Mud Sweat & Gears Club regularly. Others just came along for the ride. This was a diverse group of people of all ages, with one thing in common. They all had a passion for bicycle safety. They all believed that your helmet could one day save your brain, if not your life. So they joined together, with the support of Michael Liber, owner manager of the Dairy Queen, to embark on a ride safely campaign called ‘Put The Lid On’. 

One of the kids had a friend who had banged into a tree with his helmet on. One of our Granddads was wearing his helmet in a professional bike race – his helmet saved his life. We all knew someone who wore a helmet, or should have. We all had our reasons for riding that Sunday.

And what a great day it was. The idea was to give the kids we met wearing helmets a brochure on Safe Cycling with a free DQ treat inside. We also wanted to talk to kids and adults to explain why wearing your helmet is as important as wearing a seatbelt in the car. 

Pauline told of her group meeting a man with two kids – all on bikes. Only one child wore a helmet. The child without a helmet was not given a free treat. As the cyclists rode away, feeling bad about their ‘tough love’ treatment, they heard Dad  say “now stop crying Susie, the lady is right – we are going home right now to find your helmet.” Yay Dad! (I just know he took her to the nearest Dairy Queen too.)

Our group saw a Granddad riding with a helmet on. On a hunch I stopped and asked whether he had grand children and were they riding bikes. He said they never got on their bikes without their ‘lid on’. I gave him three brochures and coupons on the promise he would talk to his grand kids about bike safety.    

We had such a great time and felt that we had really made a difference. When you are out riding the next few weeks, look for us – and make sure you have your helmet on, for your family’s sake!