KALAMAZOO, Mich. — On Wednesday evening, Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation hosted a bike rodeo aimed at teaching children essential biking skills while emphasizing safety.
Held at Mayors’ Riverfront Park, the family-friendly event provided kids with instruction on riding techniques such as navigating through town, braking effectively, and signaling properly. Kalamazoo Public Safety officers were on hand to assist with helmet and bike fittings, ensuring that each child was equipped for a safe ride.
In addition to instruction, the event featured the participation of the Open Roads Bike Program, offering bike tune-ups and minor repairs to ensure that every bike was in top condition for riding. Furthermore, Safe Kids Kalamazoo County distributed bike helmets to children in need, prioritizing safety on the roads.
Isaac Green, the Executive Director of the Open Roads Bike Program, highlighted the event’s significance in fostering a love for cycling among young participants. He emphasized the importance of introducing children to the joys of biking at an early age, enabling them to appreciate their surroundings and engage with their community.
“This is the best time to learn how to ride a bike and learn to fall in love with the sport. Young kids learn how to do things very fast, so no better time to do it than when they’re young. Get them to fall in love with a new hobby and fall in love with a way to enjoy their town, their nature, and their community,” said Green.
The Kalamazoo Area Bike Week festivities will continue through Saturday, offering further opportunities for residents to celebrate cycling and promote bike safety within the community.