Bicycle Rodeo focuses on safety and fun
Bicycle safety for kids will be only one of the focal points for the Bicycle Rodeo on May 25 at ProVia’s Walnut Creek facility from 1-3 p.m.
With the population of people riding bicycles on area roads in Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, bike safety continues to be critical.
On May 25 ProVia will host a Bicycle Rodeo in its Walnut Creek facility from 1-3 p.m.
While the time period may be short, the number of activities and information being shared will be vast in dispensing both fun and safety for those who visit.
“It’s not a long day, but it should be fun day and an informative one,” said event organizer Stephanie Norman, retired lieutenant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the day and learn everything they can. We are looking to make sure that everyone is as safe and sound as they can be when riding bikes on our roadways.”
The event includes support from both Tuscarawas and Holmes counties.
Included in the afternoon will be a safety road course for young and old alike, an e-bike safety presentation, a new bike raffle and a kids corral hosted by sponsor Park National Bank that will include plenty of activities for the kids.
In addition, there will be sno-cones and coffee available and a couple of food trucks.
Also making an appearance will be the Cleveland Clinic Critical Care Transport helicopter team, several area agencies connected with bicycle safety and first responders.
“There will be EMS, fire and law-enforcement personnel there, as well as the transport team, and people can talk to them and look at the helicopter,” Norman said.
There also will be a bike raffle with tickets available for purchase only to those attending the event. In addition, sponsors will pass out bicycle helmets and safety vests.
The event is being hosted not by a specific organization but rather by caring businesses that understand the importance of sharing bicycle safety education.
The sponsors include Cronenbaugh Auction Service, Subway, ProVia, Park National Bank and All About Children Childcare & Learning Center.
“This is community-driven, and it’s exciting to see area businesses get behind the effort in such a meaningful way,” Norman said. “This community has a ton of bikes and a lot of bicycle traffic, so this is one way we can help try to keep people safe.”
Norman said ProVia was one of the first companies to get on board with the rodeo because the leadership team there recognizes many of their employees and clientele use bicycles as a main way to travel.
While many may assume this event is mainly for children, Norman said it is for everyone, with a good portion of the event aimed at adults, specifically the e-bike community.
“As e-bikes continue to be a big part of our traffic in both Tuscarawas and Holmes, it continues to be critical to share as much safety information as possible with the public,” Norman said.
Joe Mullet of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to provide two short sessions inside the facility about bicycle safety tips.
In addition, there will be someone speaking on a recent hot topic, both literally and figuratively, that being the danger of e-bike batteries catching on fire.
“That’s becoming an issue,” Norman said. “Those batteries can be very sensitive, so you have to be careful about how you’re storing them, which batteries you’re choosing and how you charge them.”
She said the topic has become enough of a hot button that it will be a focal point at the upcoming Amish Health & Safety Day later this year.