Young bicycle riders peddled into the South Cariboo Rec Centre to learn road skills and bike safety the during the Crime Stoppers Bike Rodeo on April 29.
Children could have their helmets properly fitted, while volunteers from Red Shreds, a Williams Lake bike shop, were on hand to tighten gears and check bikes for mechanical issues.
Then, riders could ride through an obstacle course and through a street scenario to practice their bike signals, as well as try out some jumps and ramps for the more adventurous bikers.
“This is a great opportunity for kids to come out, learn bike safety, learn the rules of the road,” said RCMP Const. Matt Ziemer, who guided a number of groups around the rodeo. “Most kids in my groups didn’t know their hand signals, didn’t know what you did at a yield sign, so we taught them all that stuff.”
About 100 children showed up, say organizers, who were kept busy leading riders around the arena, handing out raffle prizes including a scooter and a bicycle and kept the event running smoothly.
“This is the time of the season where kids are starting to get out onto their bikes and hopefully they will be safer on the roads now for sure,” says Ziemer.
“I think almost every kid rides a bike and kids need to learn bike safety.”
One participant, Jordyn Richter, said her favourite part was riding on the road course because “it was pretty fun stopping.”
The 6-year-old says she learned how to stop and look both ways before crossing the street, as well as her hand signals.
“I’m excited to go biking,” she says.
Nine-year-old Lachlan was racing around the gym on his bike.
“I did a couple of jumps and I did the big loop around and I did more laps on the jumps too,” he says.
“I learned to stay safe.”
The event was put on in partnership between the Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo, the RCMP, Canlan Ice Sports, Most Wanted Contracting, RBC and the Free Press. BC Ambulance and 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue were also on hand to help out.
“It was super fun, I had a good time, I know my kids had a good time. I think everybody else’s kids did too. It was a big team effort,” says Ziemer.