NCM to Host First Annual Bicycle Safety Day at Launch Zone

Family event will feature a bicycle safety course, mini parade, safety check stations, bicycle nameplate and decorating activities, prize giveaways, and more

The National Children’s Museum (NCM) will celebrate its first annual Bicycle Safety Day at the Launch Zone on May 22. As summer approaches, families are invited to join NCM and the Alexander Lance Booker Child Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing accidents and injury for kids under 17, to prepare their bicycles for warm weather activities and enjoy an afternoon of bicycle fixing, decorating, and riding.

Kids can bring their own bicycles or tricycles to the Launch Zone, where they will have an opportunity to create their own bicycle nameplates and decorate their bikes; visit the bicycle helmet and check stations, courtesy of Capitol Hill Bikes; Participate in a bicycle rodeo featuring a safety obstacle course with the C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) of Prince George’s County, a group that provides resources for families and friends of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; and join the “Great NCM Bicycle Parade” to show off newly decorated bikes.

Plus, families can enter a raffle to win a Revolution Cycle gift card, one of seven brand new kids’ bike helmets, bicycle safety gear, an NCM goody basket, and other prizes. Drawings will be held every hour throughout the event.

Other activities for the whole family will be presented by the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation Xtreme Teen Street Team and Harley Davidson.

In addition, the child founder of Wheels to Africa and one of the Museum’s “kid heroes,” Winston Duncan, and his mother, Dixie, will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about their non-profit organization. The group collects used bikes, repairs them, and sends them to Africa for those in need of daily transportation.

Visitors can access the Launch Zone with their bikes by riding to National Harbor via one of the area’s many bike paths. Families may also use one of National Harbor’s many parking lots or drive and park free of charge at Metro’s Oxon Hill Park & Ride, then take a quick bike ride to the Harbor.

How will you get your family’s bikes to the Launch Zone? Easy!
•       Drive your bikes to National Harbor and park at one of the many easily accessible parking lots.
•       Ride your bikes to National Harbor across the Wilson Bridge or via one of the area’s many bike paths: http://www.pgparks.com/Your_Parks/Trails.htm.
•       Drive and park (for free!) at Metro’s Oxon Hill Park & Ride, then take a quick ride down to the Launch Zone.

When:    Saturday, May 22, 2010

                11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

                 Rain or Shine

Where:   NCM Launch Zone

                 National Harbor, MD 20745

Media

Contact:  Jacqueline H. Toppings

                  202-675-4129

                  jtoppings@ncm.museum