Osceola County youth put their best foot forward

Kids are the future – and BFF wants to ensure all youth in Central Florida grow up healthy and safe to become our next generation of bike/ped advocates.

BFF was fortunate enough to take part in several events in Osceola County over the last few weeks, all focused on youth education. A combination of partner support, sunny skies and bike/ped information was the perfect recipe for these fun, learning-packed events. Check out some of our favorite moments below.

Historic Downtown Kissimmee Pedestrian Awareness Campaign

It’s never too early to start advocating for pedestrian safety!

Earlier this month, motivated students from Kissimmee Christian Academy created and displayed colorful signs, urging drivers to be careful around pedestrians. Hundreds of morning rush-hour drivers traveled past the students and members of the Historic Downtown Kissimmee and the Downtown Business Association of Kissimmee as they enthusiastically campaigned in the median on Broadway. And, it just so happened that this event was on the same morning as Operation Best Foot Forward! BFF is all about bringing community members together to educate and enforce driver yield laws – it’s great to see neighbors and partners in action!

Heritage Christian Academy

It’s always a rewarding feeling to fit a child in need with a new helmet and share safety information, but it feels even better when those children show their appreciation back. BFF’s Roni Wood felt the love when she gave three presentations to 502 students at Heritage Christian School in Kissimmee. Throughout the morning, she shared age-appropriate bike/ped safety lessons and properly fit brand-new helmets for 73 kids.

“The whole day was very organized, which helped the flow of students coming in to be fitted,” Roni said, “Everyone was grateful for the BFF presentation and awareness that was brought to students and staff.”

BFF can’t wait to work with Heritage Christian School again soon!

Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida – Tupperware Brands Branch

The Boys & Girls Club motto is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.” BFF hopes to add to students’ arsenal of safety knowledge as they grow into caring, responsible citizens – and was able to do just that with two groups at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida’s Tupperware Brands Branch.

Great, attentive local students were eager to learn about bike/ped safety, especially once they learned how much it can affect them. BFF educated the kids and answered questions about the crosswalk between Kissimmee Elementary and Kissimmee Middle that they use every day – drivers may or may not stop for them, so they must always use caution.

Girl Scout Helmet Training Event

Bike/ped experts and advocates come in all shapes and sizes – even some you’d never expect.

Osceola County has seven new certified helmet fitters who will share their skills to help younger bike riders. Several Girls Scouts in the county spent a Saturday morning last month training with BFF partner Lyndy Moore, AKA the Purple Bike Lady.

Now that they’re certified helmet fitters, the Girl Scouts plan to train later in the year to learn how to host bike rodeos with younger children. BFF always loves to see young people getting involved in and passionate about bike/ped safety!