Bike Rodeo offers safe riding instruction for young bikers

 

[May 07, 2022] 

A blustery cold afternoon last Sunday did not prevent several youngsters coming out to the parking lot of Lincoln Center on the campus of Lincoln College to learn a bit more about bicycle safety.

The parking lot was scattered with kids visiting various stations and taking advantage of the skills and knowledge of older bikers from teens to adults who were there volunteering on behalf of the Lincoln Park District, Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Police and the Logan County Sheriff’s department.



The first ‘station’ of the day was the ‘fix it’ station. One young man arrived at the station with his bike in tow and a particular problem that needed addressed. He had a new tire and tube that needed to be mounted on his bike so he could once again enjoy riding.

After visits to the fix it station, kids moved on to the maintenance station where bike chains were checked a lubricated. Then it was time to give those bikes a good bath. The youngsters received assistance with chain maintenance, and verbal instruction on the bike washing, but were left to be “hands on” with doing the actual washing and drying.



Next it was time to do a personal safety check, as a volunteer spoke with children about how to wear a helmet the proper way.

Across the parking lot, there was a table of information about health offered by volunteers from the Lincoln Memorial Hospital and a chance to enter a drawing for a new bike.

There was also a table filled with healthy snacks such as fruit, granola bars and bottled water. Volunteers there noted that it would have been a perfect day to serve up some hot chocolate.

Lincoln College was on hand giving away college swag items such as lanyards, pens and chip clips.





The bike plate station was popular as kids were given assistance in making a personalized plate to put on the front of their bikes.

Then it was time to actually ride. An obstacle course was set up where children were accompany on foot by a volunteer who talked them through getting off to a good start, making turns, and coming to a safe stop.



For those little tag-alongs that were too young for a bike or even a trike, the Lincoln Lynx mascot was on hand to entertain. While a real Lynx wild cat by nature is supposed to be tough, this one was acting more like a big old teddy bear playing with tots and dancing to the music that played in the background.

Although everyone was a little put off by the cold, kids were till excited about being at the event, and learning more about biking the right way.

[Nila Smith]