Cyclists can ride safely with cover
A Manawatu¯ schoolgirl hopes her new cycling safety measure will be used at schools across the region.
Hokowhitu School pupil Mila Hansen-thomas, 11, won the best technology exhibit at the Manawatu¯ science and technology fair at the Arena last week for her project Ride Safe, which is a high visibility and reflective cover to go on a cyclist’s helmet.
Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School pupil Nicola Sutherland-smith won the best science exhibit category for her project sunscreen in the water.
Mila, who lives in Feilding, hoped other schoolchildren would use the cover. ‘‘With the money I won I’m thinking of seeing if the boards of trustees at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School and Palmerston North Boys’ High School, and a few other schools, can make them compulsory at school.’’
Mila rides her bike for her triathlon training and her sister is in a cycling group at Intermediate Normal, so Mila wanted to come up with a way to make cyclists more visible to drivers.
‘‘When I did cross-country horse riding we have to wear a brightcoloured helmet covering so people can see you when you come around a corner when I ride my pony,’’ Mila said.
The bike helmet cover is made so cyclists can be seen during the day or night. At night the fluorescent colour doesn’t stand out, but the silver reflective strip is still bright in the darkness.
Mila researched, tested and made the cover.
She was excited to have won the science fair title in her first year at the competition.
‘‘I didn’t think it would happen, especially because I was against high school people.’’