International donated two auxiliary cycles to its programme yesterday.

On hand to receive the vehicles, which are worth $2,500 each, were the Minister of Transportation Ewart Brown and Road Safety Officer Roxanne Christopher.

Ms Christopher said this was a positive step for the programme and Cycles International owners Florindo and Judy Canale acted as "good corporate citizens''.

"Cycles International have played a major role today,'' Ms Christopher said.

"We want to have as many cycles as possible for the programme, and this is one step closer to that.'' Ms Christopher said she would like to see other cycle businesses give stronger support to the programme because cycles were the main source of transportation for teens when they turned 16.

She noted the most important task was to get parental support behind the programme.

"We need the support for Project Ride,'' she said. "Some children feel that once they turn 16, they know how to ride.

"That's not the case. I want parents to tell their children that unless they complete Project Ride, they will not get a bike,'' she continued. "I want parents to encourage their children to participate in the programme.'' Ms Christopher said the programme was receiving positive feedback in the school systems.

"Our goal is to have 900 kids,'' she said. "There are approximately 1,100 kids that go 16 every year, so our target is to get three quarters of that number.'' In order to target those numbers, Ms Christopher said the programme had to be made mandatory in the high school system.

"It's a great programme,'' she said. "We are still redeveloping it, but I want it to be as close to perfect as possible before I present it to the Ministry.

"I know that the Minister would accept any recommendations about Project Ride, he is very open to it.'' Mr. Canale said he was more than happy to donate the cycles to what he called a "worthy cause''.

"Most of the time the kids can't afford a bike,'' he said. "This way, through the school and the programme, they can get the knowledge that they need to cope with Bermuda's roads.'' Dr. Brown also threw his support behind the programme and the donation and added: "I think it's an extremely good cause. The fact that Government, in particular, can work with the local businesses in doing something innovative helps to benefit the public in general.

"We've seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of people who are doing the programme and this kind of event is encouraged to promote Project Ride.

Project Ride is a road safety programme organised by the Transport Control Department and the Bermuda Road Safety Council.

It is geared toward educating rider-aged children as well as the general public on the need to be more safety conscious on Bermuda's roads.

Generous Donation: Cycles International donated two cycles to Project Ride yesterday. Receiving the cycles are (from left to right) Project Ride instructor at Warwick Academy, Andrew Wrigley, Road Safety Officer Roxanne Christopher, Minister of Transportation Dr. Ewart Brown and owner of Cycles International Judy Canale.