City’s annual Bike Festival provides safety tips, family-friendly recreation
COATESVILLE – A picture-perfect day for bike-riding became even more special Saturday for a group of Coatesville children and their families.
Coatesville Police Officer Rodger Ollis adjusts the helmet of 6-year-old Maia Lawson at the 2nd Annual Coatesville Bike Festival.
The city held its 2nd Annual Coatesville Bike Festival, a collaboration among the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, the Community Policing Committee, the Fire Department and the Coatesville Community Bike Works.
Participants assembled at Jeanne Treadwell James Park in the 900 block of Coates Street, where officials helped ensure that bikes were operating properly and that children had helmets. Then a caravan of cyclists -_flanked by the adult organizers – followed a fire truck for a six-block journey.
“The younger kids really love that part,” said Marie Hess, the head of the Parks and Recreation Commission. “It’s definitely a thrill.”
Hess expressed appreciation to all the volunteers who made the event a success. She said the Chester County Highway Safety Project donated bike helmets and Turkey Hill supplied water bottles.
Coatesville Police Officer Rodger Ollis, who heads the Community Policing Committee, also cited the invaluable assistance of all of the collaborators. He said the event offers a great opportunity to provide safety instruction and have fun.
“Once again, the Parks and Recreation Commission has coordinated a community event that brings people together that is engaging, educational and enhances a sense of community,’’ said Ollis. “I am honored to work with such great people who are dedicated to making Coatesville a better place to live, work and play.”
Hess, who is already excited about next year’s 3rd Annual Bike Festival, said the event is deliberately scheduled the week before Celebrate Coatesville to help build excitement for the professional bike race that comes to the city. She said organizers have some leftover helmets and will distribute them July 1 from 2 to 6 p.m. during the city’s Bike Rodeo, a component of Celebrate Coatesville.
