Youngsters are invited to bring their bike, and their families, to Blessing Health Hannibal’s annual Ride Cool event to increase their bicycle riding safety knowledge and skill. The popular event will be held on Saturday, May 31, between 10 am and Noon, at Blessing Health Hannibal, 100 Medical Drive.
The first 250 children at Ride Cool 2025 will receive a free helmet and t-shirt while supplies last, and be able to test their riding skills and safety knowledge on a bicycle obstacle course.
“A properly-fitted helmet is the most effective way to prevent a head injury resulting from a bicycle crash,” said Susan Meidl, MD, Blessing Health Hannibal physician and Blessing Health System Hannibal Community Health Services Committee member. “Yet Safe Kids Worldwide reports fewer than half of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet. If they did, we could reduce head injuries related to bicycle accidents by at least 45 percent.”
Ride Cool is hosted by Blessing Health System’s Hannibal Community Health Services Committee with the support of a Riedel Foundation grant.