Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Pence Elementary holds Bike Safety and Rodeo program
The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce held its 3rd annual Bike Safety and Rodeo program last week with after-school children at Pence Elementary. Thanks to our presenting sponsor AERON Lifestyle Technology and material sponsor The Ride Bike Shop, this program is completely free for the students.
Chamber volunteers use stations to teach a variety of bike safety topics like hand signals, road signs, rules of the road, parts of your bike, ABCs of your bike, and do an egg drop experiment to learn the importance of wearing your helmet. The stations were held on April 24 and 26, with the Bike Rodeo on April 28. This fun obstacle course helps students with starting and stopping, turning, and taking turns.
On April 28, students were encouraged to ride their bikes to school. Our friends from The Ride Bike Shop brought some extra bikes, too. Before the Rodeo began, all students were fitted for a helmet. Thanks to Blank Children’s Hospital who donated 30 helmets to this event. TrafFix Devices donated two bikes and AERON Lifestyle Technology donated two bikes, so we were able to give four children a free bike.
The week ended with a graduation ceremony at the shelter on the playground where parents were invited to come celebrate the end to the week. Popsicles were also enjoyed by all.
National Bike Safety Month is in May, when we normally hold this event. Biking is a great exercise and with 16 miles of loop trail, it is part of life in Fairfield. The Chamber hopes that by introducing these safety lessons to students that they are able safely ride their bikes to school.
The curriculum comes from the Safe Routes to School Program which was developed by the Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa Bicycle Coalition. We look to continue to grow our education program as well as our other bike events. This year we will be combining the BAFLTAFR (Bike Around Fairfield Loop Trail Annual Fun Ride) and Harvest Rush Gravel Grinder to welcome all bikers to come out and enjoy the day.
Our volunteers make this event fun as well as educational. We are thankful for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Jefferson County for taking care of the egg drop station. Other volunteers come from the Chamber Board, committees, ambassadors, and friends. Each one has taken time to make this program possible.
