Bicycle safety will be the theme for the Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Canadian Tire parking lot.
All children who can ride tricycles or bicycles are encouraged to attend. Bring your bicycle and helmet along.
You must register for this free program. Call the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex at 250-398-7665.
This year the McDonald’s Bicycle Rodeo committee is teaming up with the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society who, in partnership with Red Shred’s Bike and Board Shed, is offering gently used bicycles for anyone that doesn’t own a bike. Anyone needing a used bicycle can call the Conservation Society at 250-398-7929 and ask for Briana van de Wijngaard.
The Bike Rodeo promotes safe bicycle riding habits which will reduce accidents involving children.
The event is free and offers many interactive activities for children.
“As more people start riding their bikes it is important to remind riders that safety and awareness are critical,” said Dave Dickson, safer communities co-ordinator. “Parents should always wear a helmet as it shows children through example that you should never ride your bicycle without one.”
A course with a series of eight safety stations will give children the opportunity to learn correct riding skills.
A 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 worn 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,” states 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 event are: McDonald’s, Success by Six, United Way, Canadian Tire, the Brain Injury Society, Community Policing, Red Shreds, Boys and Girls Club, Youth for Christ and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Contact Suzanne Cochrane or Denise Skarra at 250-398-7665 for more information or visit activewilliamslake.com.