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Welcome to Ventura's new community website for actions related to curbing global warming. This site is designed to support the actions kicked off by the Ventura's Oct 24th, 2006 Town Hall Meeting on Global Warming.
VCCool's 2008 Kids' Bike Safety Rodeo
Saturday, May 31, 2008
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
VCCool Kids' bike rodeo - in conjunction with Summerfest
255 W. Stanley Ave., Ventura
Free - BRING YOUR BIKE
Download the Flyer (Spanish/English)
Our Cool Poster
This year our goals for the bicycle rodeo were to teach kids and families:
- To go with the flow of car traffic (even if you're on the sidewalk)
- Wear a helmet
- Bicycles are traffic, not toys
- Bikes are the cool, clean way to get around
- Parents and kids can bike together
- Kids can do it themselves, fix a flat, and get around
- Women and girls can fix bikes, and can travel by bike.
Features of the rodeo consisted of:
- Orientation, global warming, and bike laws with VCCool and Officer Higgins
- Helmet check, fit, and new helmets
- Bike check, and minor repair
- Learning Arm Signals
- Skill course
- Custom helmet stencils
- Puppet shows
- Fix-a-Flat Class
- 2.5 mile ride (with reflector prizes)
- 8.5 mile ride (with light set prizes)
- Used-bike raffle
- Valet bicycle parking
- Information booth
What fights global warming, get’s you to school or soccer, and helps keep you strong and fit – all at the same time? The answer – a bicycle! And VCCool is putting on the mother of all kid’s bike rodeos. You'll see us at Ventura Unified School District's Summerfest 2008.
It’s for kids K-12, so there are lots of different stations and two sponsored rides (a 2.5 mile and an 8.5 mile ride). There will be a bike check and free repair, helmet check and free helmet if you need one, arm signal training, a skill course, two bike rides on the river bike path – with prizes for all youth participants (parents encouraged to ride too), learn to fix a flat with free toolkit to all participants, get your helmet stenciled, and to start it all off - brief small-group introductions with comments by local bicyclists and police officers. English and Spanish speakers both welcome and supported.
The Rides: If you're under 18 years old and want to participate on one of the rides, you'll need a signed waiver. Just down load the waiver, get it signed by an adult, and bring it with you. (For all you teens, don't take it personally, it's just an insurance thing.)
So what do kids and families need to remember? Bring your bike!! (If possible) There will be free bike valet parking. We’ll have loaner bikes for kids without one. Adults - please bring your helmets. The bike rodeo will be at the entrance of Summerfest, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is a free VCCool event, with help from Channel Islands Bike Club, Bike Depot, the Ventura Police, and many others.
Press Release May 16, 2008