Annual Bike Rodeo brings out kids of all ages

WASILLA — Some 250 kids and parents enjoyed a sunny Saturday May 13 at the annual Bike Rodeo. Geared around safety, the event partners Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and Mat-Su Central School, which hosts the annual event at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Center. Being “road wise” and preventing head injuries was the prevailing theme as dozens of kids rolled around on their bikes, the sound of their laughter echoing in the designated parking lot.

“It promotes bicycle safety, road safety; and we really try to give out to the community as many helmets as possible — to folks who are riding bikes, teaching them the rules of the road, teaching them safety of where you’re at as a cyclists,” said Alan Craft, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Kids could get a free bike tune-up, ride on obstacle courses designed to teach safe maneuvering, get free handouts from local vendors and go on a group bike ride with a pack leader, who instructed them on safety and situational awareness along a new bike path made by the Menard Sports Center last year.

“Backcountry Bike and Ski, and Alaska Bicycle Center were on site providing safety checks, minor bicycle tune ups, answering questions and educating participants on proper bicycle maintenance, and fitting cyclists for helmets,” Craft said.

Teegen Tanner, the creator of Helmets on Heads gave a presentation on head injuries and safety since she knows first hand damaging an accident can be without a helmet. She had a traumatic head injury that required surgery a few years ago and has since made it a point to try to slow the rates of serious injury for the local youth.

“I started this charity to hopefully help kids avoid going through what I went through,” Tanner said.

There were a handful and vendors and sponsors with booths. Even a bike wash was present, run by Alaska Military Youth Academy volunteers who blew shiny, bubble-filled streams at passing bikers.

“It’s about getting kids road wise and safe for the summer months. Putting helmets on their heads, teaching them traffic dos and don’ts so they can be safe riding around our community,” said Gena Chastain, community liaison member for Mat-Su Central School.

There were two drawings for two free bicycles; and there were six drawings for gift certificates, each valued between $50 and $250. More than $2,000 in prize drawings were given away.

After six years of hosting the bike rodeo, this is the second year Mat-Su Regional has teamed up with Mat-Su Central School and the Menard Sports Center. Craft noted how the rodeo has grown over the years. He said it is a significant part of Mat-Su Regional’s community outreach.

“One of our goals as an organization is to promote community health and wellness, and healthy lifestyles,” he said. “Outdoor activities like cycling fit perfectly in that realm.”