Published: 6/8/2022 4:41:09 PM
Modified: 6/8/2022 4:39:01 PM
BERNARDSTON — Looking to encourage bicycle safety among children, the Bernardston Police Association will host its third annual Bike Rodeo at Bernardston Elementary School on Saturday.
The event will start at 9 a.m. In the event of rain, it will be moved to Sunday.
The Bike Rodeo was first held in 2019 by the Bernardston Police Relief Association, a nonprofit consisting of members of Bernardston’s police force, as a way to get more involved in the community, according to Police Sgt. John Richardson. It has been staged every year since, save for 2020, when it was placed on hold due to the pandemic. Instead, the Bernardston Police Relief Association organized a clothing drive that year to raise money for a scholarship for Pioneer Valley Regional School students.
Richardson said the Bike Rodeo is intended to encourage bicycle safety and safe road behavior among children. Police officers will demonstrate how to properly put on a helmet, hand signals and how to inspect a bicycle’s brakes, among other important tips.
“I think it’s a great way for the community to come together in a very positive manner,” he said.
Richardson also describes the Police Association as being “strong supporters of youth sports,” and hopes that the event will encourage children to be more active.
Among the activities will be a bicycle course for the youngest children on the elementary school’s basketball court. The course will be set up by Pioneer Valley Regional School District’s Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) Coordinator Debra Wood and Bernardston Elementary physical education teacher Steven Ludtke.
Franklin First Federal Credit Union will also be present at the event to promote the Frankie Fund Saver Club, described on its website as “a kid’s savings account created to teach and promote financial education and help (with) laying the foundation for creating good savings habits.”
Other activities will include booths from Townline Ice Cream and Sweet Lucy’s Bakery, and a mechanic from Bicycle World who will conduct safety checks on children’s bicycles. The Police Relief Association plans to provide free bicycle helmets to Bernardston Elementary students.