Young cyclists invited to Tillsonburg bike rodeo

Tillsonburg’s annual Bike Rodeo returns Saturday, May 11 to the Tillsonburg Community Center.

Article content

“And it’s free,” said organizer Julie Dawley, a long-time member of Tillsonburg’s Recreation, Culture and Parks department. “We just want them to come and have a good time. It’s a great outing. I’m excited, I hope to see a lot of kids.”

Article content

The first 100 children will receive a free ‘loot bag.’ Cycling helmets are required.

“I have just been overwhelmed by the heart-felt support from this town,” said Dawley, thanking her many sponsors.

“Everybody has just been so supportive.”

The 10 am to 12 pm bike rodeo is a partnership of the Town of Tillsonburg and Oxford OPP. Constable Randi Crawford will be coordinating the auxiliary officers.

“The whole course was good last year, so we’re doing almost the exact same course,” said Dawley, noting they set up the five-and-older rodeo in the parking lot next to the JL Scott McLean Outdoor Recreation Pad. “It was really good.”

Article content

On the course, children/youth will be learning safe stopping, maneuvering, and control on their bicycles.

“We have a station that’s called ‘danger driveway.’ They have to make a decision, learn whether to turn or go through.”

There will be 30 volunteers assisting at stations, including Tillsonburg Lion Terry Fleming, wife of the late Lion Vern Fleming, who as the OPP Community Services Officer had coordinated many bike rodeos in town.

“Vern ran a lot of them, and I went to one. I remember winning a bicycle with a banana-seat,” Dawley laughed. “Vern was teaching me how to stop, go, and do all that stuff on a bike.

“A lot of them are returning volunteers.”

Another highlight event is the return of the pre-school rodeo course, set up inside the outdoor rec pad. Children need to bring their own tricycles/bicycles.

Article content

“It’s a little course, and we’ll have pre-schoolers riding over bubble wrap – it cracks, it snaps… they have a great time.”

Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy will present participants with certificates at the conclusion of the bike rodeo.

Event sponsors include – E&E McLaughlin, Inovata Foods, Tillsonburg Lions Club, Doctors Ort, Bamford, Puente and Bossy, CUPE 7575, Systemair, Broadway Family Dental, Martinrea Tillsonburg, Canadian Tire, Co-Operators, Tim Hortons, Multi-Service Centre, Morrison Insurance, Tillsonburg Post Office, Stubbe’s BrandSource Home Furnishings, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman, Shaw’s Ice Cream, Stubbes Precast, Smiles by Design, Tillsonburg M&J Tirecraft and the Town of Tillsonburg.

[email protected]

Article content