The Gymnasium prepares its pupils for the dark season with the reflective vest. At four stations, the sixth graders learn the most important things about safety on bicycles.
Saddle wrong, brakes broken, air out: The prepared bike at the station of Peter Keeners of the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) looks bad. The light is not, “Someone has demolished my bike,” complains Keeners at the students at his station. The seven girls and boys of the sixth grade eagerly seek out the mistakes, immediately put their hands on each other, and give each other tips. Not ten minutes later, everything is running, the plug on the dynamo was pressed again and the air in the front wheel pumped up again. “Done, you can go home,” confirms Keeners the successful repair.
At this and three other stations, the children of the Gymnasium learn all the basics for a safe ride on a bicycle. Five sixth grades are allowed to explore the four stations in the classroom every hour. The “Action Light” was initiated by the city in cooperation with the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Friendly Cities (AGFS) and the ADFC. Alexander from the P3 Agency for Communication and Mobility, who has been accompanying the Light action for several years as a presenter, welcomes the students’ knowledge as a greeting. How many brakes must a bicycle have in this country? Which reflective clothing is required, which are not? Manfred Weygand, bicycle representative: “We want the kids to ride more bikes, but for sure!”
Security is top priority for Police Chief Commissioner Herbert Kinder. “Eight out of ten wheel accidents end with a head injury,” says Kinder. In addition to the bicycle helmet, his station also deals with reflectors and the correct lighting. “Accidents always happen when drivers cannot recognize you.” The pedals, the cat’s eyes on the pedals, are the only way for others to recognize a cyclist as such from behind. “Drive carefully and take care of yourself!” lends Kinder the group to the next station. Angelika and Manfred Weygand show how reflective clothing works.
The children can choose from a wide range of protective vests, warning stripes, and especially reflective bicycle helmets and illuminate each other in turn. Everyone is enthusiastic about the effect of the radiant clothes. At the last station, the black box, it is necessary to spy on a search image cyclists with and without light and write down its result. Under the correct answers, three winners will be drawn who will receive a safety pack with reflective vest and reflective band. However, nobody goes out of their way: there is a reflective plush pendant for everyone.