How to Have a Successful Bike Rodeo CREATED BY MAT PACE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER ACADEMY ENDEAVOUR ELEMENTARY

What is a bike safety rodeo? A bike rodeo is a safety event designed to engage and entertain children while demonstrating bike safety inspections and showing certain key safety skills. It usually includes: a safety skills course marked with chalk or traffic cones helmet-fitting lessons raffles and many other activities The main focus of a bike rodeo is cycling safety for young cyclists.

Checklist for Success:  At least 6 months in advance, organize a bicycle rodeo committee comprising of staff, parents and community members  Secure a date (possibly in conjunction with other school events to promote school community) and large area to hold the event  Get PTA/PTO involved to assist with funding and volunteering  Contact local bike shops for mechanical help and/or donations  Find at least 2-3 reputable bike mechanics with bike stands and tools  Contact area non-profit bicycle organizations such as Kids On Bikes for information, help, and donations  Prepare materials for bike rodeo (paperwork/equipment/area to be held)  Recruit at least 20 volunteers (teachers, parents, high school helpers, other members of the community) to run stations  Get the word out at least 2 months in advance with flyers going home in folders at least 3 different times  Purchase refreshments for volunteers and snack prizes for participants  Have fun!

Local Bike Shops (just to name a few)  The Hub  Ted’s  Bicycle Village  Performance Bicycle  Old Town Bicycle Shop  Bicycle Experience Questions to Ask: o Do you have any bike mechanics that would be willing to volunteer their time and services? o Would you be willing to donate any items for a raffle (ex. jerseys, water bottles, t-shirts, helmets, a bike, tune-ups, etc. )? o Can you donate any parts (ex. tubes, tires, chain lube, cables, etc.)  Criterium  Ascent Cycling  Colorado Cycling  ProCycling  Bicycle Experience  Café Velo

Kids On Bikes “Kids on Bikes mission is to inspire and empower all kids to lead healthy, active and happy lives through biking.” “Our three priorities to ensure all kids ride bikes are to provide access to rideable bikes, empower kids and families in bike safety and create a healthy community that explores neighborhoods, parks and trails together.”

Materials, Checklists & Equipment Documents to be Copied:  Flyers to be sent home with Bike Rodeo Information  Participant Checklist  Mechanic Checklist  Helmet Safety Checklist  Certificate of Completion  Explanations of Bike Rodeo Station fe-routes/training/bicycle- rodeo/bikeDrillDescriptionForCDOT.pdf/at_do wnload/file Materials & Equipment Needed:  Tables & chairs  Volunteer refreshments & snacks for participants  Chalk and/or duct tape  Markers & rubber bands  Lots of cones and marking domes  Tape measure  Street signs (if possible)  Bicycle repair supplies (tubes & chain lube)  Air compressor  Bicycle repair stands (Kids on Bikes will loan out bike stands if needed)

Bike Safety Rodeo Flyer for Families

Participan t Checklist Name _________________________ Please go to as many stations as you can. You MUST do stations 1-3 in order! _____1. Bike Safety Check _____2. Helmet Safety Check _____3. Start and Stop (Mount/Dismount) _____4. Quick Stop (NO skidding) _____5. Ride in a Straight Line _____6. Slalom _____7. Figure 8 _____8. Snail Race _____9. Rock Dodge _____10. Signaling _____11. Scramble _____12. License and Give-Aways Copy multiple checklists on bright cardstock and hole-punch at the top. Secure to handlebars with a rubber band.

Mechanic Checklist Print and have several ready for your mechanics.

Bicycle Helmet Fitting Checklist ___ Level - The helmet should be level on the rider's head. ___ Rim barely visible - When the rider looks up, the front rim should be barely visible to their eye ___ Y below the ear - The Y of the side straps should meet just below the ear. (This is not adjustable for Bell True Fit helmets.) ___ Snug strap - The chin strap should be snug against the chin so that when the rider opens their mouth very wide the helmet pulls down a little bit. ___ Skin moves a little - Move the helmet side to side and front to back, watching the skin around the rider's eyebrows. It should move slightly with the helmet. If it does not, the fit pads are probably too thin in front or back, or the helmet may even be too large. ___ Stablilizer snug - If there is a stabilizer, snug it up under the bulge on the rear of the head. ___ Palm test - Have the rider put their palm on the front of the helmet and push up and back. If it moves more than an inch more fitting is required. ___ Shake test - Have the rider shake their head around. This can be fun. If the helmet dislodges, work on the strap adjustments. ___ Is it comfortable? - Ask the rider if the helmet is comfortable and check to make sure there are no comfort issues that still need to be addressed.

Certificate of Completion

Resources: Kids on Bikes Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc.