The Wooster Police Department offers K-5 bike rodeo
Patrolman Brandon Heim helps a tricycle rider around a curve.
The Wooster Police Department invites all students entering kindergarten through fifth grade in the fall to attend the seventh annual Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, June 2 at Cornerstone School, 101 W. Bowman St., Wooster, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is sponsored by Wooster Community Hospital and the Kiwanis Club of Wooster.
“It’s cool to wear a helmet,” Wooster City Police patrolman Quinn McConnell said. “At the bike rodeo kids learn that wearing a helmet is the most important thing you are going to do when you hop on a bike.”
Every child attending the bike rodeo will be gifted with a helmet. The helmets are provided through a program of the American Academy of Pediatrics called Put a Lid on It.
“Anybody in the state can apply for a grant for the helmets,” McConnell said. “We got it, and then we go down to Columbus to pick up the helmets.”
Wearing a helmet is a must for riding the rodeo course. McConnell said, “It’s a requirement for the course. And then we hope that they will keep that helmet on all summer and use it until they outgrow it and get a new one.”
McConnell is a bike officer along with three others at the Wooster Police Department. “The original department I started with said, ‘Who wants to be a bike cop?’ Get paid to ride a bicycle? I said I’d do it,” McConnell said.
When McConnell was hired to work with his hometown police department in Wooster, he became part of the local bike patrol. “When we have the opportunity and man power, I ride a bicycle during the suitable months,” he said.
The bike rodeo is a safety clinic. A course is set up in the Cornerstone parking lot where local police officers instruct kids where and how to apply the rules of the road when bicycling.
“The idea is to have kids learn about road rules and practice safe riding techniques such as turning, being able to control the bike, where to stop and recognizing stop signs,” McConnell said.
At each station there is an officer to help with practicing a particular skill. “They can do the course once or complete it as many times as they like,” McConnell said. “Some kids stay for hours and ride the course a dozen times or more.”
Children are asked to bring their own bicycle if possible. There are bikes available on site for those who do not own a bike or are unable to bring theirs to the event. Ride On will be on site to offer a basic safety check to every bicycle before it’s taken out on the course.
Over the years the rodeo has averaged around 150 kids in attendance.
Four new bicycles are given away during the course of the event, and there are numerous other giveaways for every child who completes the course. A free hot dog lunch is provided for all the participants.
McConnell explained that the family-friendly event is all about three things: safe riding techniques, the importance of helmets and the opportunity to interact with officers in a positive manner.
“We enjoy being around the kids, and we would like them to enjoy being around us,” McConnell said. “The bike rodeo is a great opportunity for that to happen.”
Registration for the Bicycle Rodeo is free and can be completed ahead of time or at the event. “It doesn’t take long,” McConnell said.
Forms are available at www.woosteroh.com, www.woosterkiwanis.org or at the event. The rodeo is held rain or shine.
The community event relies on local support. If any organizations or individuals are interested in donating volunteer hours, supplies or wish to make a financial donation, email McConnell at qmcconnell@woosteroh.com.
The Wooster Police Department reminds everyone to stick around after the bike rodeo and head downtown to enjoy Main Street Wooster’s Kids’ Day from 1-4 p.m. at the Wayne County Public Library’s parking lot.