Columnist Susan Snyder: Accident reminds of deficiencies

Friday, Oct. 13, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

Susan Snyder's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at snyder@lasvegassun.com or 259-4082.

Nicholas Browski could have been anybody's child.

He's 9 years old and rides his bike to school pretty much every day. He's one of the thousands of Clark County pupils who must pedal, walk or catch a ride to class because they live less than two miles from their assigned schools. Riding the bus isn't an option for them.

And it wasn't an option for Nicholas, Metro Police said. On Oct. 4 he pedaled his Huffy BMX bike into the path of a van on Nellis Boulevard. Nicholas was riding on Twain Avenue and attempted to cross Nellis. He had a red light.

But with driver's education classes still six years away, Nicholas evidently forgot about red lights. He somehow forgot to stop, look and listen long enough. He rode straight into the path of the van, and no amount of swerving or brake-jamming could prevent the horrendous result.

Nicholas was hurled from the bike and suffered massive head injuries. Hospital and police officials say there was no evidence he was wearing a helmet. He has been lying in critical condition at University Medical Center since the accident. His parents couldn't be reached for comment. They certainly have other things to think about.

This is not about blaming anyone. Accidents happen. Unfortunately, Nevada has no overall system for keeping track of how many kids are injured on their bikes, said Joyce Cosgrove, executive director of Clark County SAFE KIDS.

"We don't keep track of injuries here. We're way behind the times," Cosgrove said.

Still, the potential for such accidents is staggering. Of the 157,892 kids in kindergarten through eighth grade, only 41,788 are eligible to ride the bus, school district records show. That means about 116,100 youngsters must find other ways of getting to school. Many choose bikes.

A quick look around town shows many ride bare-headed and oblivious to traffic lights and signs that too often mean nothing in the pre-driver's license years.

No bike safety curriculum is required in Clark County schools. Cosgrove's group hosts bicycle workshops at eight elementary schools each year. Teachers and police officers offer safety instruction when they can, district officials said. Principals often hand out fliers listing safety rules.

That's not enough. We need all adults' diligence to make sure children know the rules and wear helmets.

Parents, relatives, teachers, scout leaders, church group leaders, police officers, recreation counselors -- any adult who knows the laws, and knows a child, can help. You can find safety tips at ccsafekids.com.

They can make sure traffic signals mean something to the little people who travel our city's streets long before they slip behind a steering wheel.

Over the past two weeks residents have conducted vigils and rallies for two dogs injured in savage, unrelated attacks. Public outrage and action has been loud and swift.

For much of that time Nicholas Browski has lain in a hospital bed, the small, unknown victim of a virtually preventable tragedy. More will join him this year without our vigilance and action.

Nicholas Browski could have been anybody's child. Even yours.