Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County, City of Fond du Lac Police Department, East Central Wisconsin Safe Routes to School, and Fond du Lac Cyclery teamed up for the third annual free Bike Rodeo on Tuesday, June 17. Youth ages 5-11 navigated obstacle courses, learned how to safely travel city streets and sidewalks, checked their equipment, and gained valuable skills and knowledge to help them bike with confidence. There were prizes, snacks, beverages, and a couple new additions at this year’s event.
Parents and guardians were able to register children before the event to make sure every young biker was equipped with a bicycle and helmet. At the event, the Fond du Lac Cyclery team volunteered their time to tune up bicycles, fill tires, and properly fit helmets. The City of Fond du Lac Police Department gave each biker a sticker and form to officially register their bicycle at the courthouse.
On the course, the City of Fond du Lac Police Department and East Central Wisconsin Safe Routes to School guided cyclists through various skills and hazards such as traffic rules, hand signals, mounting their bikes, using brakes, making safe turns, and entering the roadway.
The busy riders were fueled with plenty of water, granola bars, fruit snacks, and crackers. New this year, participating children received a free scoop of ice cream from the Cowlicks Cones and Floats ice cream truck and had an opportunity to jump around in a bounce house provided by the Fond du Lac Family YMCA.
All 29 children who completed the course received a certificate and were entered to win a special raffle basket featuring a mini badminton set, a pool float, bubbles, water balloons, and other summer fun goodies.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Fond du Lac County and northern Dodge County. The agency assists children with social, emotional, and character development through 1:1 (one-to-one) and 1:1+ (one-to-one plus) mentoring opportunities in community-based, site-based, and school-based settings. Youth ages 6 and up can enroll in the program through parent or guardian referral. Volunteers ages 16 and up who pass a background check and have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance can be mentors. Visit bbbsfdl.org or call (920) 922-8200 to learn more.
