Tragedy struck in Miami Springs on July 1, 1987, when Meko Chesson was killed while riding her bike in Miami Springs. Meko was a student at Miami Springs Middle School and was memorialized with a special dedication in the yearbook the following year.
The Miami Springs Junior Woman’s Club created a memorial that stands today (nearly 40 years later) outside the Miami Springs Library. it states:
Miami Springs Junior Woman’s Club
In Memory of
MEKO CHESSON
1973 – 1987
“Life it eternal…
Love is Immortal”
This tragic tale is a reminder to watch out for cyclists. Miami Springs is blessed with great weather year round. We see pedestrians, skaters, dog walkers, and cyclists nearly every day. Drivers need to be extra cautious that Miami Springs has many children riding their bikes on our roads almost daily. Let this be a reminder that tragedy has stricken Miami Springs before. Let’s not let it happen again.
Bike Safety for Children
In Florida, bicycle helmet laws for children are primarily governed by Florida Statute 316.2065. Here is a quick breakdown of what the law requires:
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The Age Requirement: Any bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet.
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Fit and Standards: The helmet must be properly fitted, fastened securely by a strap, and meet federal safety standards (16 C.F.R. part 1203).
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Passengers and Trailers: The helmet rule applies equally to children riding as passengers, including those sitting in a trailer or semi-trailer attached to the bicycle.
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Younger Children: If a child passenger is under 4 years old or weighs 40 pounds or less, they must ride in a specially designed child seat or carrier that protects them from the bike’s moving parts.
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Penalties: A violation can result in a traffic citation and a fine. However, courts will often dismiss a first-time offense if the parent or guardian can provide proof that they purchased a compliant helmet for the child.
Once a rider turns 16, they are no longer legally required by the state to wear a helmet, though safety experts still highly recommend it.
The next time you drive down Westward Drive and pass the Miami Springs Library, you’ll notice the new sign for the Imogene Post Bird and Butterfly Garden. Know that just a few feet behind this sign is the memorial for Meko Chesson.
Wally Clark posted the following recollection of Meko Chesson 6 years ago:
“Meko Chesson 12/1/73 – 7/1/87 I photographed her wearing her new dress for the Miami Springs Middle School prom and a few weeks later she was struck by a vehicle and killed while riding her bicycle on South Drive. There’s a plaque on a pedestal in her memory in front of the library. Little Meko, forever fourteen.” – Wally Clark via @Beautiful Miami Springs Facebook
