Bedford PD to Host First Bicycle Rodeo

Last week, a 14-year old Bedford bicyclist ran into a moving vehicle. A said Bedford Deputy Fire Chief Mark Klose.

Now the Bedford Police Department's Community Policing Division, in conjunction with corporate sponsors , , and aims to save more lives by hosting its first annual Bicycle Rodeo later this month.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the upper parking lot of Bedford High School. There, the community policing division's youth and young Adult Section will provide valuable bicycle safety information, tips, guidelines and "rules of the road" to enhance the safety of all bicyclists and especially our youth. 

With increased motor vehicle traffic using our streets and roads, police say it is especially important for bicyclists to know the rules, know how to be safe and ensure they know what kind and how to use essential safety equipment that could save a child’s life or mitigate serious injury.

The rodeo will include bicycle safety inspections, helmet fittings, and safe riding lessons offered by Certified Mountain Bike Officers of the Bedford Police Department. The bicycle rodeo will also feature activities and obstacle courses for riders of all ages to practice the skills they learned.

In addition, the rodeo will include the opportunity for community members, young and old, to register their bicycles with the police department. Should a bike ever become lost or stolen, this service will aid in recovery of the bicycle.
  
A demonstration by the Bedford Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit, a part of the police department's traffic division, will add to the excitement as well as inform residents how the traffic division and motor unit help keep the streets and roads of Bedford safe for both drivers and bicyclists of all ages.

The will also be providing free helmets to the first children to arrive who need them. Refreshments and pizza will be provided, donated by Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart, Harvest Market as well as the Bedford Police Union.

A scheduled rain date is set for Sunday, August 5.