Bike Rodeo features free fun and safety

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Fun and free — two words that should get anybody excited.

Charles City’s annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo on Saturday morning, June 2, is being planned to be bigger than ever, including almost 60 rebuilt or new bikes to give away or swap.

The Charles City Police Department has been organizing the annual rodeo for more than 30 years, but this year is partnering with a new organization called CC Cares.

“We just want to get kids out in the outdoors and understand bike safety,” said Kimberly Watkins, a CC Cares member who is helping organize the event this year.

CC Cares was formed by people who have been involved in various community events over the years, including the annual Thanksgiving community dinner.

Watkins had been familiar with a bike giveaway and swap in Minneapolis and thought it would make a nice addition in Charles City. As of Monday, 57 bikes ranging in size from toddler to adult 10-speeds had been donated or fixed up for the rodeo

Prospective cyclists can turn in bikes they have outgrown for refurbished ones that have had minor repairs done to them such as new seats, chains fixed or the tires properly inflated or even replaced. Attendees can also donate bikes they no longer use or that need slight repairs.

“We have a wide range of bikes,” Watkins said.

Participants in the rodeo can have their bikes inspected for safety and have them licensed with the city, and people who need one can also receive a free bike helmet.

Charles City Police Chief High Anderson said the department had 195 helmets available to give away this year.

Other give-away items, in addition to a free lunch, include free swimming passes and movie passes and ice cream cone coupons.

“We’ve never had this many bikes and this much stuff to give away,” Anderson said. “There’s enough that everyone who attends will get something.”

“It’s all free,” said Watkins. “The kids are going to have fun that day.”

There will also be a raffle for a chance to win 10 new bikes and other prizes.

The purpose of the bike rodeo is to teach and practice safe bicycling.

There will be five obstacle courses that will focus on different aspects of safety that will challenge riders’ skills and help improve confidence in navigating their bicycles.

A family bike ride will also take place on the Charley Western Trail Saturday.

Watkins said that this year has been a really good turnout as far as prospective bicyclists who said they plan to attend the rodeo. She also mentioned that she is looking for anyone of high school age who may want to learn how to fix bikes or that currently does so.

Bicyclists of all ages can register for drawings in the tent at the old middle school parking lot from 9-11 a.m. the day of the event.