Bicycle safety will be the theme for the Tim Hortons Bicycle Rodeo coming up Sunday, May 13.
The event is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Canadian Tire parking lot. All children who can ride tricycles or bicycles are encouraged to attend.
Participants are asked to bring their bicycle and helmet along, and must register for this free program by calling the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex at 250-398-7665.
This year the Tim Hortons Bicycle Rodeo is teaming up with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society who in partnership with Red Shred’s are offering gently used bicycles for anyone who doesn’t own a bike. Anyone needing a used bicycle can call the Conservation Society at 250-398-7929 and ask for Carla Glessing.
The Bike Rodeo promotes safe bicycle riding habits, which will reduce accidents involving children. The event is free and offers many interaction activities for children.
“Bicycle safety is very important,” says safer communities co-ordinator Dave Dickson. “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 bicycle 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 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 event are: Success by Six — United Way, Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, Brian Injury Society, Community Policing, Red Shred’s Bike and Board Shed, Boys and Girls Club, Youth for Christ and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Contact Irene Berns or Denise Skarra at 250-398-7665 for more information or visit www.activewilliamslake.com.