Bike Rodeo on May 17 will Help Kids Get Ready for Biking this Summer

Published on April 28, 2023

Kzoo Parks and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) will host a free bike clinic on Wednesday, May 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mayors’ Riverfront Park (251 Mills Street). This “Bike Rodeo” will teach children biking skills and make sure their bikes and gear are ready for the summer.

Kids can bring their helmets and bikes to the event to get them fitted with help from public safety officers and to participate in a Bike Safety Course. The Bike Safety Course will have various stations setup, each focusing on a different biking skill for kids to learn and practice.

Open Roads will provide a bike fixing station for bikes that need minor repairs or tune ups, and Fresh Food is Fun will have a bike blender setup that kids can pedal to make their own slushies with cider and berries.

Free goodie bags with educational bike information will be available while supplies last. Safe Kids Kalamazoo County, led by Bronson Children’s Hospital, will give away 100 free bike helmets to kids who don’t have their own. The event will also include fire truck and police cruiser demonstrations from Kalamazoo Public Safety staff.

Space is limited to the first 150 kids registered. Families that register in advance online can enter a prize drawing for a free bike too! Drawings will be held for age groups 0-3, 4-6, and 7-9.  Registering ahead of time will also help to speed up event check in. Online registration is available at www.kzooparks.org/BikeRodeo

Prize drawing winners will be contacted via e-mail or by phone after the event. If families aren't interested in entering the prize drawing, there will also be on-site registration at the event as space allows.