PAGE 24. WEDNESDYAY, APRIL, 30, 1986 WHITBY FREE PRESS AMWhitby likes swimmrng On The By MIKE JOHNSTON Free Press Staff Recreational swýim- ming la the most popular recreational ac- tivity among Whitby householda, based on a survey by Jean Mon- teth and Associates. A random sample of 2,000 Whtby households were asked to respond to a survey în October of 1985. The survey was designed to determine the leisure trends and recreational needa for the Town of Whitby. 0f the 2,000 householda that received a question. naire, 1,060, or 42.1 per- cent satui that recreational swimming is their most popular recreational activity. That was followed by cyciing (35.5 percent), recreational skating (33 percent), -boating, canoeing, sailing (18.2 percent), and golf (16.6 percent). The survey also measured the most popular quiet leisure and social activities. The most popaiar was walking, with a respon- se of 81.4 percent foilowed by reading (68.7 percent),- crafts (34.1 percent), pic- nicking 31.7 percent) and hobbies (18.1 per- cent). The most popular cultural activities at- tended in Whitby - by Whitby residents are sports facilities (37.4 percent), the Whitby movie theatre (32 per- cent), live theatre (15.4 perceqlt) historic sites SEE PAGE 35 Whitby 1 Beat Conut. Peter Bramma The Freedonl Machine Spring is here at iast and it sure feels good to be back on two wheels. again. 1 ride my bike to work each day, weather'permitting, just as my father did before me. Growing up as 1 did in England without a car in the family, the bicycle bas aiways been a bona-fide means of transportation. As a student I rode each day to school, ail year round. It was my "1freedom machine" enabiing my friends and I to explore the whole'district with littie expense. The highlight of my cycling in England was taking a touring holiday with my pals. We stayed at Youth Hostels on this two week trip exploring the east cqast of Yorkshire. Even though we were only 14 to 15 years old we feit 50 grown up being our own bossesand making ail the decisions ourselves. What a feeling of accomplishment we had after comn- pleting ail those miles under our own power. This "love affair"l with the bicycle bas neyer ended for me and my wife. In fact, my family of four bas a total of eight bikes. Both my children learned to ride a "two wheeler" before they were five, and like their parents, bike riding is one of their favourite pastimes. Bicycling is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds here in Canada as people discover that bicycles are not just for kids. Aduits are finding tbat cycling can be an important form of recreation and transportation. "Grown Ups" are experîencing that feeling of satisfaction from getting around under their own ««steam". Cycle paths and cycle routes are being constructed in many communities to meet the demand. Even racing and touring clubs have been formed for the "serious" cyclist, and actually when talking about riding safely ail of us must be serlous cycligts. We must respect the traffic laws and the rights of others when using the highway. When driven on the highway the bicycle must not be used as a plaything or a toy. A common complaint from cyclists is thé lack of respe.ct shown them by motorists. Well, that won't change until cyclists earn that respect by cycling safely. The majority of bicycle riders are children and although your kids have probably learned the basics of bicycle riding, it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure they cleariy understand that the raies of the road apply to them also, not just the drivers of motor vehicles. Cover each aspect of bicycle safety con- tained in the next part of this article with your chiidren so they clearly understand their responi sibility as bicycle riders. If you are considering buying a bicycle for your child, make sure the bike la not too big. A common mistake made by parents is to buy a larger bike than the child can handie safely - s0 it will last longer (studies of bicycle collisions indicate a miajor* problemn area was the lack of ability to handie the particular type and size of bicycle). When a child can stand up above the horizontal crossbar with both feet fiat on the ground, the bike is the right size. If the bike des not have a crossbar, the seat should be at hip level when the child la standing beside the bicycle so that when seateri the rider can touch both feet to the ground at the same time. Now six driving raies: 1. Obey ail traffic raies and signs, just like car drivers. 2. Drive your bicycle on the right hand side of the road, in single file, with the flow of traffic. 3. Always signal your turas. 4. Make sure your bike has a bell or a horn and it is in good mechanical order (brakes etc.). 5. Neyer ride two on a bike. 6. If you ride after dark or when the light is poor, your bicycle must have a white light on the front, red light or reflector on the rear, plus white reflec- tive tape on front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks or rear fender. In addition, tell them to make their own decisions when riding with other children. To be their own boss and not just play (ollow the leader. It's most important that they understand that other children may set a badl example. Finally. The beat way to prepare your child for cycling la to share the lear- ning experience. Ride with your child and study how he or she rides. And while you are both iearning about bicycles, take the opportunity to teach your child safe cycling habits. Wben you are together in the car, set a good example by driving your car carefuily, expiaining what you are doing and why. Your chiid will then realize that a bicycle is a vehicle like your car and not a toy.. Personaily, I believe that until a child can make responsible traf- fic decisions they should not ride unsupervised' on busy highways. Generally children under 12 years cannot be expected to cope with riding their bicycles in heavy traffic. Restrict riding to residen- tial streets, quiet roads, bike paths, and only during the day, until the child la 12 years or older. Have a safe cycling summer. Home Satellite TV: The Greatest Show On Earth A etion-packed movies are just the beginning of the programming now-showing on home satellite TV. Look a what else you've been missing: 'More movie, sports, news, educational, reiigious, and children's programming than -s available from any other source. al10)-plus channels to choose frc m, for about the same monthly payînents as cabie TV. *Free and legal reception. To find out more about how home satellite televi- sion works, ask us for a FREE copy of Tuning In Home Satellite TV. But hurry--supplies are imited. À i BROOKUIN ELECTRONICS 4605 Baldwin St., Brooklins (/4mi1le N o! Fami1iy Kartways) 655-4064 8M Transit problema in the Otter Creek area have finally been put to rest, or at least that's the hope of Whitby Council. Council approved an operations committee recommendation Mon- day night, which mem- bers hope will satisfy The residents had complained that the bus, and a turning circle constructed at the end of the street on Rossland Rd., along with other heavy vehicles, travelling on the street posed a hazard to their children. Council bas approved residents of GUUUiViIUw stop signs tw vu VUuVLuU r st. at: Rossland Rd. and PASSENGER & LIGHT TRUCKS -COOLING SYSTEMS- 103 DUN DAS ST. E. 162 KING ST. E. WHITBY OSHAWA 668-3356 571-3400- Goodfellow St. for east- bound traffic, Good- fellow and Rossland Rd. for northbound traffic, Goodfellow and McQuay Blvd. for southbound traffic and a stop sign on McQuay Blvd. and Goodfellow. A stop sign has been piaced on the turning circle to stop and slow the buses down as they FROM PAGE 4 enter Goodfellow St. Council has also ap- proved GoodfelloW be signed for no heavy traf-1 fie except the buses and1 those vehicles making local deliveries, that a speed survey be conduc- ted and a report of he survey be brought to council's attention 1-Tax hike letter don;t tell us la the real reason for the 10 percent increase. (Rea!!y tt's DISTINCTIVE WEDDING I INVITATIONS Select your w.edding nvitationîs from our conplete catalogueý For you. .a Keepsake copy ofryour lmvit.tton in luxurious g Id. Of 1RMAT$ about 14 percent in- crease - in spending.) The main contributor to the increase is higher wages to ail 1,700 staff. Everyone received a four percent increase except the politicians.1 They received 4.25 per- cent - and Herrema got eight percent (a $4,000 increase). The total pay increases amounts to about $2,000,000 which translates to about seven percent of the total increase in taxes! The problemn is simply greedi Everyone working for the Region wants more money to improve their lifestyle and their standard of living, and you Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer are paying the bill1 When will we see a tax decrease? It la possible but it takes very good leadershipl The Region does not have the required leadership at both the staff and the political levels!1 Councilor Ed Kolodzie Region of Durham City of Oshawa THE CORPORATION 0F ~s THETOWNOFWHITBY PROCLAMATION SPINAL HEALTH WEEK TAKE NOTICE THAT May 1 to 7,1986, Is hereby proclalmed as "Spinal Heath Week" ln and for the Town of Whltby. Ciizens of Whtby are remninded to be aware of the value of developlng and maintaining good spinal health. DATED at Whitby, Ontario this 3th day of April, 1986. *R.A. Attersley, Mayor Town of Whtby A Public Service Message Sponaored By The Durham Raglan Chlropractlc Society Transit 'problems put wo rest? HONEY BEAR DAY CARE CENTRE NURSERY SCHOOL For Children 2 to 5years old (Gomerment Lcenssd Government Approved) Full Days, Hall Days or Hourly * A brand new, total ly renovated Govmrment Approved Day care centre * An abundance of new toys and equlpment * Government approved Staff and Iearning programs * 3 meals a day prepared by a nutritionaily aware cook * Learnlng themes and outlngs OPEN FROM 6:30 A.M. -.6 P.M., MON.-FRI. 52 Weeks a ear Except Canadian Statulory Holldays Minutesfrom Downtown Whltby FOR ENROLMVENT AND INFORMATION CALL: 668m6200 NI Q~ WE'RE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Corte.,PROFESSIONALS ~ 149 Brock St. N., Whltby GOLD JACKET REALTY LTD. &68621 JUST LISTED $101,900.00 Super detached bungalow, 3 bdrms plus den, fully fenced yard, close to schools and shops, a muet to sbe. Helen Bevis 688-6221 or666-4075.1