Our August community service project was to work with the SRPD and Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition on their "Back to School Bike Rodeo". The rodeo was held at the Santa Rosa YMCA. Several organizations joined forces to make this event happen.

The SRPD's Bike and Pedestrian Safety Outreach Program provided a Helmet Safety Clinic, and provided free helmets to dozens of school-aged children.

NorCal Bike Sport provided free safety inspections and adjustments to the participants' bikes.

The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition provided educational materials and safety demonstrations (an "egg-drop" demonstration showing the importance of wearing a helmet was a big hit!). 

NorCal Velo Women's Cycling Team joined forces with the SCBC to design and set up the Skills Course. The course provided an opportunity for children to learn some fundamental skills and rules of the road. In order to complete the course successfully, they had to demonstrate proper signals for right turn, left turn, and stop.

They were taught to brake properly and come to a complete stop safely. The course included a round-about, where participants learned how to signal and yield correctly. They were also asked to "hold their line" through a set of cones while looking back over their shoulder to make eye contact and/or identify signs. The course was by far the highlight of the Bike Rodeo! Kids enjoyed riding through dozens of times, and each time visible improvements were seen in their balance and ability to execute the skills. 

This was a well-run and well-attended Bike Rodeo. If you or someone you know might be interested in bringing children to such an event, visit the SCBC website to learn more about upcoming Bike Rodeos.