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Show Bike Licensing Program Underway In Centerville By GARY R. BLODGETT w i. J CENTERVILLE An extensive ex-tensive bike licensing program is underway in Centerville with a special emphasis being put on youngsters who get new bicycles for Christmas. "THIS PROGRAM is more important than merely checking check-ing over a youngster's bike and charging 50 cents to have it licensed," said Police Chief Clifford Russell. "It is also designed de-signed to help youngsters better bet-ter understand the upkeep, servicing and proper maintenance mainte-nance of bikes." He said teaching the kids good bicycle habits is also very important. "THE HABITS they learn now with proper use and maintenance main-tenance : of their cars," the chief emphasized. "If they keep 'their bikes in good repair, re-pair, they will do the same for their cars." The chief said he first started the bike licensing program prog-ram in Centerville about 14 years ago. "Some of these kids were eight to 12 years old then and now have children of their own with bicycles," he noted. "I KNOW the bike program has done some good because I still have contact with adults, who were youngsters when the program was started. They remember re-member me and they remember remem-ber what they were taught several sev-eral years ago. Many have offered thanks forgetting them off to a good start in handling responsibilities." Chief Russell emphasized that the youngsters are not only taught good maintenance of their bikes, but also good habits in bicycle riding. "Safety "Safe-ty is of prime importance to these youngsters and as a result re-sult we have had a very good safety record among young bike riders in Centerville," he said. THE CHIEF placed extra emphasis on bicycle licensing of new bicycles, especially those youngsters who receive them for Christmas. Officers at the police headquarters head-quarters at Centerville City Hall will take the owner's name, address and telephone number. He will also take a description de-scription of the bike, its color, make, model and any special markings or accessories on the bicycle. The bike's serial number num-ber will also be recorded. THIS INFORMATION is then filed separately in two files, one under the owner's name and the other by serial number. "If the bike is stolen or found abandoned, the owner own-er doesn't need to remember anything but his name and address and the police department depart-ment will do the rest," the chief said. Bikes found without any identification or serial number usually are put in storage and end up in a bicycle auction once a year. "BUT WITH a serial number num-ber recorded .even bikes transported trans-ported out of state can be traced to the owner," Chief Russell stressed. - Bikes can be registered at the police station weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost of registering and licensing the bike is SO cents. |