June 2, 2020 / For Immediate Release
AIRDRIE, ALBERTA – Airdrie City Council announced the 2020 Mayor for a Day Challenge winner at the June 1 City Council meeting. Arden L., a student in grade 6, presented her idea to build a ‘safety village’, where young children can learn about bike safety and how to ride.
“There are so many children and families in Airdrie. There are no all-year programs about bike safety for young kids, there is only a one-day-a-year event held at Nose Creek Park. The students don’t have a way to be taught proper bike safety (other than their parents showing them),” explains Arden. “Kids that go there [safety village] get taught about the meanings of different signs on the road, and how to signal to let people know which way they’re going to turn. The safety village is a way to save time for parents and help prevent bike accidents.”
Arden's inspiration came from Penticton where she visited a safety village with her school. She enjoyed her time there and found that it was a “good balance of fun and education."
“I want to congratulate all participants in the challenge and a big congratulations to Arden for being selected at the 2020 Mayor for Day challenge winner. We are looking forward to learning more about Arden’s idea and how we can implement it here in Airdrie,” says Mayor Peter Brown.
For more information on the City’s Mayor for a Day Challenge, visit airdrie.ca/mayorforaday.
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Media contact:
Jessica Dudek
Youth Engagement Programmer, Social Planning
403.948.8800 ext. 8738