Shown left photo, left to right, RCMP Const. Ryan O'Hare, Staff-Sgt. Jason Teniuk, Samantha Feser (Battlefords Victim Services), Mayor David Gillan, Mayor Ames Leslie, and Const. Joshua Trefry, and in the right photo, Const. Joshua Trefry offers riding tips to some young students. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Combining fun with education

RCMP helping kids stay safe with Bike Rodeo

May 30, 2022 | 5:03 PM

It was all hands on deck for children attending the bike safety education session that kicked off on Monday.

The Bike Rodeo event was organized by the Battlefords Victim Services and the Battlefords RCMP with help from a number of sponsors.

Grade 3 students from Battlefords and area schools, including the First Nations communities, will attend throughout the week outside the Alex Dillabough Centre in Battleford. Then, on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be a session for kids open to the public.

North Battleford Mayor David Gillan and Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie also attended the launch.

Battlefords RCMP Staff Sgt. Jason Teniuk thanked the many sponsors who helped make the event possible.

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“We can’t do it without them,” he said. “We want to make sure everybody knows the local business community has been absolutely outstanding to help us get this off the ground. It a very good community event we’re proud to be a part of.”

Teniuk added the event also helps kids get to know the police better and be able to interact with them in a positive way. The students also had an opportunity to look inside a brand new RCMP truck.

“They are seeing that the officers are human too,” Teniuk said.

Mayor Leslie said the Bike Rodeo is a great way to teach kids how to be mindful of safe practices whenever they are riding their bicycles.

“It’s always great to promote bike safety and safety in general with our youth, to remind them of the rules of the road and how to handle a bike properly,” he said. “I think Grade 3 is the age where they learn to take direction. We’re just excited we have the RCMP here taking the lead, and the kids look up to them. It also creates friendship, and getting to know our local officers by our youth. I think that’s always a good thing.”

Mayor Gillan also thought the event was a good idea.

“It’s great to see all the kids out and enjoying our Bike Rodeo again after a few years,” he said. “It’s excellent that we are able to provide this in the community.”

RCMP Sgt. Chris Stephens said with the funds raised for the event the organizers were able to purchase the bikes for the safety course. Close to 20 schools will be taking part at different times through the week.

Schools participating will each receive one free bike to donate to one of the youngsters who took part in the event. As well, all students in Grade 3 in all schools in the entire area will each receive a free bike helmet when the items arrive.

“It’s a great thought that the mayors had that they want to see bike helmets more,” Stephens said. “So we took [the idea] and said we want a bike helmet on every kid. Honestly, our local businesses stepped up and really helped out with it.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW