It was pouring rain and only six youths came out to the local Lions Club’s first bicycle safety rodeo, but the club president figures that is a good start.
Victor Bissonnette said that while only a handful of people competed, “They got really competitive. The ones who were there really enjoyed it.”
He said that the club learned there had been very little notice of the event that was to be part of the annual Pioneer Days in Rockwood on June 12, and he hopes to get that corrected by next year.
OPP Constable Randy Schubert, who brought his own OPP bike to the event, was on hand to help inspect bikes and provide youngsters some safety tips. Schubert not only checked bikes, but he also helped to adjust bike helmets for optimum safety.
Bissonnette said it has been nearly ten years since Rockwood had a bicycle safety rodeo. He noted, ruefully, “The weather was somewhat of a deterrent.”
But, he said, the kids competed in pouring rain and won such prizes as a new bike helmet, gloves, water bottles, reflectors, and tickets for rides for this Saturday’s Lions Club Spring Fair in Rockwood.
Bissonnette said he was surprised, as were the kids, to learn that all bikes must be equipped with a bell or horn. Several of those were also handed out to the participants.
“We installed them,” he said.
