By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Families looking for a fun and educational event this weekend will have a chance to bring their children out for a free bicycle safety rodeo hosted by SAFE Kids Val Verde County on Saturday.
The event, led by SAFE Kids Val Verde County and Val Verde Regional Medical Center, will focus on helping children learn bicycle safety skills while also providing free helmets, obstacle courses, bike inspections and safety education at Southwest Texas College.
Lucy Hernandez, community educator and SAFE Kids coordinator, said the event is designed to help children build safe habits while having fun.
“We’re hosting this community event focused on bike safety skills and just a fun hands-on environment for kids to practice their skills and also receive a free helmet,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said children attending should bring their bicycles so they can participate in the obstacle course and safety exercises.
Families attending can expect helmet fittings, bike safety education, rules-of-the-road instruction and bike inspections to ensure bicycles are in safe working order.
The event will also feature child safety information booths covering topics such as water safety, vehicular heat stroke prevention and back-over prevention as families head into the summer months.
Hernandez said several community agencies and organizations will participate in the event, including Bike Del Rio, the Texas Department of State Health Services, Del Rio Police Department and Del Rio Fire Department. Members of Bike Del Rio will be the ones teaching the bike skills and helping children work through the obstacle course. Firefighters are expected to bring a fire engine for children to explore, and Hernandez said the police department may also bring its new K-9 for children to meet.
In addition to safety activities, the event will include raffle prizes featuring children’s safety equipment such as shoulder pads, knee pads and bike lights. Food vendors and music will also be part of the event atmosphere, Hernandez said.
Among the vendors expected to attend are Ally’s SIP Society, Everlasting Coffee, Mary’s Troquita and Sugar Rush Cotton Candy.
Hernandez said the overall goal of the event is helping prevent injuries among children and encouraging safe riding habits at a young age.
“The really important part of this event is to just help prevent injuries with young kids,” Hernandez said. “Making sure that they’re wearing helmets can reduce their risk of very severe injuries.”
Hernandez said approximately 30 children received helmets during last year’s event, and organizers hope to provide even more this year after ordering additional helmets.
