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Photo by Asia Morris.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recently awarded the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services a $50,000 grant to provide elementary school age children with bicycle and pedestrian safety workshops in 2017, city officials announced today.

“This grant funding will help prevent injuries and prepare our youth for a lifetime of fun, safe bicycling,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement.

Eight workshops from January through May will be conducted during after-school programs within the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). The program will target students in the fourth and fifth grades, who will receive free helmets that have been properly fitted to their heads, according to the city.

“Walking and bicycling are great forms of physical activity and transportation for youth, keeping them healthy and connected to their community,” said Kelly Colopy, director of Health and Human Services, in a statement. “This OTS grant will allow us to teach youth to be safe while they’re enjoying these activities.”

During Bicycle Safety Month in May, the Health Department will also provide safety information at community events.

“Safety while walking on our streets and sidewalks is everyone’s concern, whether you are a driver, cyclist or pedestrian,” stated Rhonda Craft, OTS director. “This grant highlights the State’s recognition that each of us has to understand how serious this problem is and that we all need to do our part to share the road safely.”

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For information about how to participate, or for more information about this project, contact Louisa Franco, Health Promotions Coordinator, at [email protected] or (562) 570-7901.

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].