The Wisconsin Rapids Lodge No. 128 and Grand Rapids Lions Club organized its second annual youth Bike Rodeo/Safety Fair on May 7th 2023. The Bike Rodeo was held at the Grand Rapids Lions Club grounds as it provided a great layout for this event with a rain or shine option. This event integrated the Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, Shriners, Widows Son Motorcycle Club, the Grand Rapids Lions Club, the Wisconsin Rapids and Grand Rapids Police Departments and volunteers from Brings Cycle business in town. It was great to be able to integrate all of these organizations for one purpose, the Safety of our children. Police Officers from both the Wisconsin Rapids and Grand Rapids Departments instructed the children along with one of our brothers who is a safety crossing guard.
Volunteers from Brings Cycle check over the functionality of a riders bike; An Officer testing helmet fit for a rider
An Officer instructing a rider how to navigate the cones to practice turning
The event was for children from K-6 where children can learn safe riding skills, have their bikes inspected and minor repairs or adjustments done and helmets properly fitted as well as new helmets given to those needing them at no cost. Volunteers from Brings Cycle conducted the inspections, the helmets were provided by a grant from Bell. Loaner bikes were also provided to those children needing them, hot dogs, chips and drinks were provided and a chance to win a brand-new bike. 15 new boys and girls’ bikes were raffled off by individual age categories at the end of the event including an awesome BMX bike donated by our local Widows Sons Motorcycle club.
Bikes donated by various community organizations that were given away to the Kids
A raffle winner youth with his new bike!
It was heartwarming to see the new bikes going to children who may not have a bike of their own as well as children of special needs. This not only was a heartwarming event but no doubt will continue to be an annual event for the community going forward.
Thank you to all the volunteers from Brings Cycle, the Grand Rapids Lions Club and the Wisconsin Rapids Freemasons!