Safety Town empowers kids with bike safety skills

More than 50 young students from Knox County took part in Safety Town on Aug. 3, an engaging and educational community event designed to teach essential bike safety skills. Held at the Schnormeier Event Center, the activity welcomed 53 students and seven Mount Vernon PAK United police officers, all working together to promote safe riding habits in a fun, hands-on setting.

The event began with a classroom-style session. Sergeant Nick Myrda led students in learning how to properly check their bikes for safety and emphasized the importance of being safe, seen and heard while riding. Officer Ben Fike provided instruction on proper helmet-fitting. 

Following the lesson, physical education teachers Heather Barbour and Brock Evans guided students through a bike course designed to simulate real traffic situations. Students practiced hand signals and navigated road signs while riding through a “miniature Mount Vernon,” reinforcing the day’s safety lessons through real-world application.

After mastering the course, students participated in a group ride around Ariel~Foundation Park, led by Officer Jeremiah Armstrong. To wrap up the day, students received handouts from Knox Public Health, coupons and small gifts from local businesses, and a well-earned ice cream treat from Round Hill Dairy.

The event was part of a larger bike safety initiative made possible by the generous support of the United Way of Knox County. Through this partnership, kindergarten and first-grade students in Knox County public schools receive bike-riding instruction during physical education classes throughout the school year.

“So many people in this community remember Safety Town as a kid. Bringing it back to life was the clear next step to accompany the ‘All Kids Bike’ program we have in Mount Vernon schools,” said Barbour. “Our goal is for all students to experience Safety Town in their PE classes so that it can impact hundreds of kids in the community. Imagine what that would do for Mount Vernon kids now and for their lifetime.”

A vital piece of the program’s success comes from the support of local partners and sponsors, who helped bring this program to life. Emily Morrison of Emily Morrison Arts played a key role by painting and creating realistic replicas of Mount Vernon businesses used on the course.

“This project could not have been done without the 20-plus sponsors who stepped up to the plate to get this program going for the kids,” said Barbour. “Their support funded the buildings, road signs, materials and custom T-shirts – it became a full-scale production because of them.”

If you or your business is interested in becoming a sponsor and supporting this impactful community initiative, contact Heather Barbour at hbarbour@mvcsd.us