Jon Malo, Breanna McNamara, Cooper McNamara, Sam MacMunn, Jacob Forney, Damon Cunningham and Spencer McNamara. (File photo by Don Wielgus)
WESTFIELD – In keeping with tradition and to kickoff Bike Week, the annual Bike Rodeo and Family Safety Day at Southampton Road Elementary School will be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. – noon.
The free rodeo will be a day for kids to bring both their bikes and their parents to learn about bicycle safety. Stations manned by school staff and the K-Kids will be set up for helmet fitting and checking bikes for needed repairs, and the Westfield Fire Department will be there with an ambulance and engine for the kids to visit. In addition, an obstacle course will be set up for the kids to go through, where they will learn the rules of the road and how to ride safely and responsibly.
“This is huge for the community,” said Deborah Pelletier, Physical Education teacher at the school and coordinator of the event. “The kids always love to bring their bikes to the rodeo, and while they’re there we can teach them about riding safely and how to maintain their bikes themselves and with their parents. It’s pretty cool.”
The rodeo is a kick-off event for Bike Week, which starts Saturday and ends May 18.
“We’re certainly excited about it,” said Jeff LaValley, chair and director of programs and events for the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. “We’re hoping this whole week will encourage people to learn more about bicycling in Westfield and the healthy benefit cycling can be to them.”
FOCGRT isn’t directly involved in the rodeo, but will be busy with a number of other events during Bike Week. Bike Week is nationally recognized and is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists.
There will also be a couple of drawings at the rodeo to win a free girl’s and free boy’s bike, both of which were donated to the event anonymously. The Westfield Police Department will be there, collecting fingerprints from the kids for their parents to have in case they ever have to search for their child. Kids will leave with a goody bag, which will include more information on bicycling.
“All you’re required to bring is a helmet and a parent,” Pelletier said with a laugh. “We’re open to the public.”
