DINUBA – A series of educational events will be pedaling around town in the coming months, aimed at promoting safe bike riding for kids while handing out some new sets of wheels.
On Jan. 31, the city of Dinuba and engineering firm 4Creeks hosted the second in a series of 12 bike rodeo events, aimed at educating local youth while giving back to the community. Attendees can learn how to avoid the risks of the road while riding a bike, and will receive a complimentary helmet and entry into a free bike raffle.
“What these bike rodeos are intended to do is provide some education to the community on how to use their bike safely, how to enter traffic and overall just be safe while they’re using their bike,” said George Avila, public works director for the city of Dinuba.
Avila explained that this series of bike rodeos is part of the city’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety utilizing previously awarded Active Transportation Program funds. Through a partnership with 4Creeks, who Avila said played a major role in producing the educational materials and obtaining bikes to give away, community members can attend one of these events on specific Saturdays at schools around the city.
Reflecting on a time when bikeriding was more commonplace, Avila hopes that ongoing ATP projects and educational events like the rodeos will make bike riding safer and more accessible.
“Most cities in our area are not really designed for people to be on bikes,” Avila said. “It’s a lot more car heavy, and there’s a lot more emphasis on vehicle routes and transportation, so this is just an additional thing we can offer so that people can ride their bike and do it safely.”
Upon arrival and sign-in at one of the rodeos, attendees will be guided by 4Creeks interns and employees through six educational stations, ranging from proper bike and helmet fitment, how to properly approach an intersection and even a small Lego model for kids to practice different traffic scenarios.
Each station is meant to build on the last, leading up to a small obstacle course meant to put all of the taught information to the test.
The process is rewarding not just for those being taught, but for those doing the teaching as well. For 4Creeks intern Nolen Jamarillo, volunteering at the bike rodeos gives him a chance to put his education into practice.
“From our side of work that we do, it’s a lot of in-office computer stuff, so to be able to come out here and educate the community on why we design certain things certain ways, and why you’ve got to approach certain situations the way that you do, it’s just good to add that aspect as well,” Jamarillo said.
With many bike rodeo dates still to come, those involved hope to spread awareness of this opportunity to increase participation at each event. Though the turnout for the first two dates have been modest, volunteers report great vibes from those who have attended.
“You see smiles on parents’ faces and smiles on kids’ faces, so it’s overall just a great event,” said Christian Gonzalez, a 4Creeks intern. “We’re hoping we get more people at the upcoming events.”
Dates, locations and times for upcoming bike rodeos can be found on fliers posted on the city of Dinuba’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The events are cycling through the town’s schools throughout February and March.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bikes, but a handful will be available to use for kids without one.
