Reagan DeVlieger wanted to remind bicycle riders about the importance of wearing a helmet, and her safety message will soon be seen all over Ocean City.
Reagan, 11, who will be a sixth-grade student at Ocean City Intermediate School in September, submitted the winning design in a contest to create this year’s T-shirt for participants in the Ocean City Gardens Civic Association’s 41st Annual Bike Parade.
Registration for the July 4 event begins at 9 a.m. at the Ocean City-Longport Bridge, and the parade begins at 10.
Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes with creative red, white, and blue themes for the ride, which winds through the Gardens neighborhood of the city and ends on Beach Road.
Reagan’s winning design reminds kids that “A Bike Helmet Can Save Your Life” and urges them to “Get a Cool Design on Your Helmet.”
“Wearing a helmet is something that everyone can do that is easy, and can make the difference in an emergency,” Reagan said.
The winning designer was presented with the ceremonial first shirt Saturday by Rich Bennett of the Gardens Civic Association. Soon Reagan’s design will be distributed to the first 500 registrants for the event, which is expected to draw at least 600 participants.
“It’s an honor to have been selected as the winning designer.”Reagan said, “and it’s really cool to see my design on the actual shirt.
So, does Reagan wear her bike helmet at all times?
“Obviously!” she said with a laugh.
