INNISFAIL – Local children have been given the opportunity to learn the best bicycle safety tips at the annual Bike Rodeo.
The event, sponsored by the Innisfail Public Library, ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 28 in the parking lot of the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre.
The Bike Rodeo, which first began in 2013, was facilitated by the Innisfail RCMP, with support from Innisfail community peace officers, CP Police and the Innisfail Fire Department.
The Innisfail RCMP was represented by Staff Sgt. Ian Ihme, the detachment commander, and Const. Craig Nelson, the detachment's community schools resource officer.
The fire department came with an engine, and sponsored a barbecue.
“There were a couple guys from the fire department that were helping cook and some of the kids came to help cook hot dogs too,” said Ihme, who also lent a hand at the barbecue.
Ihme said there are several reasons why the annual Bike Rodeo is important for children in the community.
“The main one is just to make sure that kids understand safe biking. We're getting into the summer season,” said Ihme, adding this year’s event was well-attended with up to 50 children and many parents taking part. “Kids have been off their bikes for half a year and there's a new group of bikers coming up.
“We just want to make sure they (children) are safe; make sure they have proper equipment, make sure their bikes are working and then build skills,” he added. “It's also just a good community liaison work between us and the kids and just generating those positive relationships.”
During the two-hour outdoor event the law enforcement members also explained the rules of the road to the children.
The kids were also invited to test their new knowledge and skills with a course that was created in the parking lot.
“There was some slow-moving stuff for them to practice,” said Ihme.
Ihme said the event also included support for the youngest of new bicycle riders.
“There were some kids on training wheels and some also came with what we call strider bikes, like a balanced bike with no pedals,” said Ihme.
These bikes allow the youngest of bike learners to focus on developing their sense of balance and coordination before attempting pedalling. They are also designed to enable independent riding more quickly than training wheels.
“They work great because balance is the hardest thing for kids, and within a little bit of time they get the balance,” said Ihme. “And then eventually you just add on pedals onto a new bike and then they're ready to go.”
