Bicycle safety will be the theme for the Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Canadian Tire parking lot.
This year the Tim Hortons Bicycle Rodeo committee is teaming up with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society who, in partnership with Red Shred’s Bike and Board Shed, will offer gently used bicycles for anyone that doesn’t own a bike.
Anyone needing a used bicycle is asked to call Carla Glessing with the Conservation Society at 250-398-7929.
The Bicycle Rodeo promotes safe bicycle riding habits which will reduce accidents involving children. The event is free and offers many interactive activities for children.
“Bicycle safety is very important,” said Dave Dickson, Safer Communities co-ordinator. “It is the time of the year when our children are out on the street with their bicycles and if we can teach them safety through this rodeo then everyone wins.”
A course with a series of seven safety stations will give children the opportunity to learn correct riding skills. A thorough safety inspection of the bicycles is the first stop on the course. Professionals will also check the child’s bike helmet to make sure it fits well and is being worm properly.
“Children suffer injuries doing wheeled activities because of a combination of factors that most commonly include inexperience, loss of control, lack of traffic safety skills, high speed and the tendency to attempt stunts,” says the Safe Kids Canada website.
The remaining bike safety stations will focus on riding techniques and skills. Children will be asked to ride through established courses of figure eights, circles and parallel lines. The emphasis for children at this event is to learn how to control their bicycle.
Sponsors of this year’s event include Tim Hortons, Success by 6, United Way, Canadian Tire, Brain Injury Society, Community Policing, Red Shred’s, Boys and Girls Club, Youth for Christ and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The City Bylaw Department will also be on hand to provide bicycle identification forms.
All children that can ride tricycles or bicycles are encouraged to attend. Bring your bicycle and helmet along. You must register for this free program. For more information call Suzanne Cochrane or Denise Skarra at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex at 250-398-7665 or visit www.activewilliamslake.com.
