By Melissa Smalley
Safety will be top of mind at a children's bike rodeo in 100 Mile House next month.
The free event, spearheaded by Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo (CSSC), is set for Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre parking lot.
Children of all ages are welcome to participate in the rodeo, where members of the local RCMP detachment will be on-hand offering safety tips to young cyclists and guiding them through makeshift streets and intersections in the arena parking lot.
Darrel Warman, CSSC spokesperson, says a team effort between Canlan Ice Sports, the local RCMP, the Free Press and RBC, follows a recent flyer campaign that aimed at “street-proofing” youth in the community.
“We thought it would be good to educate the kids on how to be safe on their bicycles before something should happen, so the idea of a bike rodeo came to mind.”
In addition to helping children learn how to safely follow the rules of the road, there will also be a mechanical-check station on-site, where tires, chains and helmets will be double-checked for safety.
Bike rodeo participants will also be treated to a hotdog and beverage; extras will be available for sale for those who aren't participating in the event, Warman says.
“If someone happens to not have a bike and we have one that's the appropriate size, we do have some they can borrow.”
Hun City Bike Club members will be on-hand offering their expertise, as well as some Wranglers to meet participants between 10 a.m. and noon. Crime Stoppers will also be selling 50-50 tickets and raffling off some donated log furniture as part of the group's ongoing fundraising efforts.
The event will take place rain or shine, Warman notes, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.
For more information about the bike rodeo, call 250-609-0432.
