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Bashaw bike rodeo all for safety

Youths learn bike safety and prevention plus help build relationships with RCMP.
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Bashaw Fire Department’s Deputy Chief Jordan Lee helps this young rider remember his stop signal while on the bike rodeo course June 14. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Even in a small, rural community it is important to focus on safety.

That was at least part of the message that members of the Bashaw RCMP detachment and the Bashaw Fire Department brought to the bike rodeo on June 14. The event was run on a closed portion of the street out front of the Bashaw Boys and Girls club.

“Absolutely it is to promote injury prevention and promote public safety for our young people through this type of education,” explained Sgt. Bruce Holliday, Bashaw RCMP detachment commander.

“But, it also gives our RCMP officers the opportunity to engage our youth community in a positive way. The importance of engaging youth early allows our members to continue to foster these relationships throughout their teenage years and into adulthood.”

The bike rodeo, which was open to everyone, drew a number of younger kids in spite of the cooler, wet weather that blew in right around the same time.

Participants were provided instruction on proper hand signals, the right way to ride on the road, how to follow signs, proper turning and what to do when at an intersection. The kids also got to ride through a course to demonstrate what they had learned.

Holliday added that the bike rodeo is an excellent opportunity to impart safety messaging, but isn’t the only chance.

“Bashaw members will use these formal type situations to promote safety and to educate in the rules of the road,” he said. “However, our members are doing this on a daily basis — interacting with our young people on the street, in the schools and through involvement in the community.”

The event was hosted by the Bashaw Boys and Girls Club, who run many after-school programs and events for kids. As a thank you to the community and to help celebrate Canada 150, the club will be holding a dance today (June 21) from 3:30 to 5 p.m. complete with free cake and iced tea.

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Approaching an intersection and being able to recognize the signs plus if negotiate any traffic were among the skills young cyclists learned at the bike rodeo June 14. Photo by Jordie Dwyer