Wearing a bike helmet can be life-and-death decision

For the Glover boys, Saturday's Aaron Melko Bicycle Safety Rodeo was like an annual checkup for their wheels.

Tristan, 13, and Rory, 11, brought their Diamondback BMX bikes to the St. Catharines event for a little TLC from an expert.

Besides getting properly inflated tires and new bells, the north St. Catharines residents picked up useful tips.

For one, a helmet is only good for five years after the date it's made. That's because the foam and plastic break down.

They also learned that by law, bikes require a sounding device, like a bell or horn.

Riders can be fined $75 if they don't have one.

"I've got to get my bike fixed and learned some new stuff I didn't know," said Rory afterward. "So it was fun."

The annual rodeo at the Optimist Club of St. Catharines is run jointly by that Optimist club and the St. Catharines Community Policing committee.

Children brought in bikes for minor repairs and safety tips. Free helmets, ringers and parts were provided when needed.

It included a hand-signal obstacle course and displays from local agencies.

The event also featured a car seat installation clinic, something Tammy Brown, 38, was grateful for.

"This is fantastic," said the Western Hill resident, who is expecting. "So many people don't have car seats in properly.

"If you're in an accident, people should realize their baby could be seriously injured."

The rodeo itself is named for Aaron Melko, 15. He died June 5, 2001 when his bicycle collided with a truck on the Fourth Ave. bridge, just a few hundred metres from where Saturday's event was held.

His sister Bekah Melko, 18, said the rodeo was an appropriate tribute to her brother.

She said Aaron — a passionate cyclist who took part in Optimist programs — would appreciate this kind of gathering.

"It's good that they're here to teach other people these safety tips," said Bekah, who attended the rodeo.

"He definitely wouldn't want anyone to not wear a helmet."

In a newspaper article after his death, Aaron was described by a friend as someone who usually wore his helmet while riding. However, he was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred.

"Aaron is still alive in people's memories," said Robbie Craine Davidson, chairmn of the policing committee and first vice-president of the Optimist Club of St. Catharines. "He will never die for us.

"Every time we help some kid with a bike, we know we're helping make sure no one else ends up with an Aaron (death) in their lives."

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