Buffaloes bring home safety knowledge through fun bicycle, pedestrian lessons

May 6, 2026

Brownell Elementary School students discovered how to make streets and sidewalks safer for everyone during a special afternoon of activities this spring.
 
Hundreds of Buffaloes participated in Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Day lessons inside and outside the school building. Students from all grades learned how to safely navigate crosswalks, wear bicycle helmets, approach large vehicles and ride electric bikes. Representatives from Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD), Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU), Safe Kids Lincoln-Lancaster County (SKLLC), Lincoln Parks and Recreation and Black Hills Energy partnered with Brownell on the project.
 
Fifth graders Quinci and Leah felt the four safety lessons were filled with valuable information. They said the stations would help them feel more secure while walking or biking near the school building.
 
“I learned that you have to look both ways,” Quinci said. “You have to be aware of where you’re going.”
 
“I think it can help you when there are cars in the street, because then you can stay safe,” Leah said.

 
Brian Baker said he was encouraged by similar responses he heard from students throughout the day. Baker, a public health educator at LLCHD, spoke about the importance of wearing a helmet while bicycling or rollerblading. He used a mannequin head to show the Buffaloes how to properly fit on a helmet, and he emphasized how helmets protect people from serious injury.
 
Baker said he was pleased with the attention everyone displayed during his lessons. He said that reflected well on the school as a whole.
 
“It’s been wonderful,” Baker said. “If you help them understand why it’s important to be safe and why it’s important to wear a helmet, then they’re all ears. They truly grasp the reasons behind the things they’re hearing today.”
 
Brownell Principal Nikosia Kruse was also happy with the day’s outcome. She felt students had been considerate and thoughtful while they listened to each presentation. Groups of kindergarteners and second graders kicked off the event, and first and third graders followed suit soon after. The day ended with classes of fourth and fifth graders rotating through the activities.
 
“The kids have done a great job today,” Kruse said as she walked to Baker’s station. “I’ve been really happy with the way they’ve been paying attention.”

Kruse said LTU selected Brownell as this year’s recipient of a bike and pedestrian safety grant. Bethany Neighborhood Association President Kyle McLaughlin advocated for the grant after two accidents in the neighborhood happened within a six-month span. 
 
Kruse met with Brownell team members Ben Esters, Emily Pokorny and Trey Meyer once the grant was approved. They coordinated events with the community partners and planned participation times for each grade level. It took approximately 50 minutes for students to complete all four stations with the assistance of their library, computer, music and physical education teachers.

 
Quinci and Leah shared their excitement after participating in a large vehicle safety demonstration. Black Hills Energy employees parked two cars on Aylesworth Avenue and let the Buffaloes climb into the front seat. They realized how hard it was for truck drivers to see anyone who might be walking or biking in the road by the vehicles. This gave them a better understanding of why it is so critical to remain visible at all times.
 
“I especially liked being in the truck and seeing everything,” Quinci said. “It just helped me to know what to do when I’m walking. If I’m walking, I know I have to look both ways and look where I’m going.”
 
Rachel Redepenning of LLCHD and Alex Duryea of Lincoln Parks and Recreation gave students key information about e-bikes on the other side of the school building. They used a series of traffic cones to illustrate the distance it would take for riders to stop their bikes or e-bikes on a street or sidewalk. The Buffaloes learned it would take longer for e-bikes to stop because the batteries make the vehicles heavier.
 
Redepenning and Duryea also asked older students to share bicycle safety tips they had learned. One group of fourth and fifth graders suggested checking the tire pressure, making sure the bicycle seat was secure and adjusting handlebars before riding.
 
“This is really good!” Redepenning said. “I’m impressed by this.”

 
Baker said events like Brownell’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Day would make a difference in overall public safety. Lincoln Public Schools sponsors multiple activities throughout the year at elementary schools to ensure everyone has the safety knowledge they need.
 
“It’s important that we reach them with this information at this stage of their lives,” Baker said. “We want them to stay safe. That’s why we’re all here helping out with this.”
 
Discover more about our goals to connect with community partners through the 2024-29 LPS Strategic Plan.
 
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