More than 100 kids attend bike rodeo to learn about safety

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

The sun was shining and that meant plenty of bicycles made numerous turns, stops and starts at the parking lot adjacent to the old middle school building in Charles City on Saturday.

It was another success for the Bicycle Safety Rodeo, organized and put on each year by the Charles City Police Department. This is the second year the CCPD has teamed up with CC Cares to teach kids about safety on the bicycle course that is set up.

“We had a good turnout. We couldn’t ask for a better day. At least it’s not raining,” said CCPD Officer Duane Ollendick, who was in charge of the event for the second year.

Kids could also get their bike registered and win many free prizes like swimming pool passes, Dairy Queen treats and gift certificates to Aromas. Drawings at the tail end of the rodeo gave away free bikes and helmets.

“We registered all the bikes that weren’t registered,” said Ollendick. “That way if they’re found some day we can track it back by number and get it back to its rightful owner.”

The CCPD also gave away many free helmets, and food was donated by a host of sponsors.

“We did get quite a few bikes to kids that didn’t have them,” said Ollendick.

In addition to the fun had by the 100-125 kids that Ollendick said came out to participate in the rodeo, many learned the rules of the road.

“The course is kind of set up for them to do different riding skills with their bikes. We put signs up so hopefully they can become aware that a stop sign means stop,” said Ollendick.

“One thing we like to install in people with bikes, they do have to follow the same rules and laws that driving a vehicle is,” he said. “You have to obey stop signs. You have to drive on the right side of the roads.”

Police Chief Hugh Anderson was very thankful for all the support the rodeo received.

“In memory of Dean and Kim Marzen, we had a lot of donations come in to help make this possible, too, along with all of our other supporters,” said Anderson. “We had a lot of supporters.”

Dean and Kim Marzen died last year. Anderson said they helped out for many years with the rodeo.

“They’ve supported it from the beginning,” he said.