BICYCLE RODEO Granby manual

BICYCLE RODEOS
A Guide to Running a Successful Bicycle Skills
Event for Children – GRANBY STYLE!!!
INTRO:
A bike rodeo is more than just an obstacle course. A bicycle rodeo should be used to
teach bicyclist the real world skills they will need to ride a bicycle safely. Whether riding
on the sidewalk, the street, or on a path. As with learning any new skill, the skills that are
taught in a rodeo course are not mastered just simply by going through a skills station one
time – they take practice! But Bike Rodeos are a GREAT START to introducing basic
skills, giving tips for successful riding, and bringing safety to the forefront of a riders mind.
An effective program addresses the behaviors that most often result in crashes. By
developing the correct behavior, cyclists reduce their chance of being injured or killed.
Teach participants the primary bicycle handling skills and traffic concepts that will help
them to avoid the most common types of crashes.
Three major causes of car/bike crashes for kids are:
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Riding out of a driveway without stopping
Failing to stop for stop signs
Suddenly swerving without looking back
We also know that a vast majority of crashes and serious injuries don’t involve cars;
the cyclist simply loses control of the bike and crashes to the ground. Learning basic skills
such as starting, stopping, yielding can improve a bicyclists balance and confidence when
riding in neighborhoods or on the street. This is where bike rodeos can help!
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A WORD ABOUT CHILDREN AT A RODEO EVENT
The Bicycle Rodeo is certainly a dance with chaos. However, if a program is well
organized, instructors are well-prepared and understand the objectives, we should have the
confidence and a strong presence to run a successful event! Participation in the rodeo is a
privilege, we explain this at the beginning of the event and we need to be very clear about
the behavior we expect. We cannot afford the behavior of one or two to affect the learning
of the others. If needed, “time outs” can be used where students are off of their bikes and
can refocus their energy on learning.
Bike Rodeos are an exciting event for both children and adults. Unless you cater to a
specific age group, it is a challenge to interact with a group of children of different ages.
For an efficient event, remember these key communication tips:
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Require respect while maintaining a friendly disposition
It’s all about safety! Try to explain WHY a skill is being taught when applicable
Provide positive and encouraging feedback. Be honest but supportive. Sandwich
corrections with praise (“Nice approach Johnny, try to prevent your foot from
touching the ground, but good work.”)
Model on your bike (or have someone demonstrate while you teach) what you are
asking them to do. Visual learning is extremely effective!
Rather than telling the children what to do all the time, prompt them to provide
answers on HOW and WHY we do certain things.
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STATION #1: Registration / Bike Inspection / Helmet fitting
OBJECTIVE:
1A) Registration: Check students in to the event and make sure to get proper spelling of
student’s name. Also, it would be helpful to have an extra volunteer to fill out certificates while
the event is going on so they can be handed out at the conclusion of the event.
1B) Inspection: Check the mechanical shape of each student’s bike for safety
EQUIPMENT:
Table and chairs / clipboard with paper / certificates & Sharpies / bike tags with rubber bands /
ABC’s Quick Check list
QUESTIONS TO GET ‘EM THINKING:
Ideally, you should try to engage the bicycle owner in a conversation about how important it is to
keep his or her bike maintained. What happens if screws and bolts are loose? How do they get
loose? What kind of brakes does your bike have? What could happen to your brakes that would
cause them not to work? What happens if your brakes don’t work?? Why do your handle bars
need to be tight? Where do you adjust your seat?
PROCEDURE:
Look over the bike, checking: security of seat and handle bars, adequate brakes, loose or rusty
chain, and tire inflation. Use a hanging tag inspection form as a guide, making notes as you go
along for the rider to look at later. This is an opportunity for the child and volunteer to work
together in a hands on experience. Encourage the child (if time allows) to go through the
inspection form with the volunteer so he or she can be able to identify an unsafe bicycle.
BIKE MECHANICS:
Performance Bicycles has agreed to provide tools and two mechanics to work this station. We
should provide more volunteers to help with the inspection process!!!
PERFORMANCE BIKES
Gary – manager
[email protected]
Provides tools, 2-3 mechanics, tent
TIP – This station can turn into a bottleneck, unless you have enough volunteers!!!
Ideas For Running Station Smoothly: Have students fill out form as mechanic checks bike /
Have students go to helmet fitting station while bike is getting inspected
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1C) Bike and Helmet Fitting
OBJECTIVE:
Check to insure that both the bicycle and helmet fit the rider properly
BACKGROUND:
Nobody should attempt to ride a bike that is too big or too small for them. Misfit bikes are hard
to handle. This is particularly challenging when dealing with a growing child whose needs
change faster than the seasons! Hand-me down bikes from older siblings or garage sales may fit
the pocketbook, but not always the rider.
One of the most common adjustments is the height of the seat. For beginners, it’s best for the
child to have feet FLAT on the ground when seated on the bike. As their confidence and skills
develop, their seat should be raised so THE KNEE IS JUST SLIGHTLY BENT when their foot
is on the pedal.
Helmets help prevent head injuries; bicyclists of all ages benefit from the protection of a
properly fitted helmet.
EQUIPMENT:
Tools to adjust the bike seat / “Fitting a Bicycle Helmet / 5 Easy Steps” guide
PROCEDURE:
Bike Fit: Have the child straddle the bike. He or she should be able to stand flat footed over the
bike with at least an inch of clearance above the top tube. The rider must be able to adequately
reach the pedals while seated (slight bend in knees).
If the seat is too low, it is best not to raise the seat to the desired height all at once. If it’s way
too low, try raising it an inch or two, explaining to the rider that once they’re used to the new
height, they should get the seat raised a bit more. Knees should not touch the handle bars.
If the bike is outfitted with hand brakes, check to see that the cyclist can properly grasp the
brake. Do they know which the front brake is? (the left hand brake controls the front brake)
Helmet Fit: (See “Fitting a Bicycle Helmet / 5 Easy Steps”)
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STATION #2: Starts, Stops, Snail Race
OBJECTIVE:
To teach riders how to start and stop their bicycles safely and efficiently
BACKGROUND:
Starting and stopping are skills that are often overlooked; we seem to think that kids will just
figure it out. The result can be poorly controlled cowboy starts, skidding stops or even crashes.
Now is the time to introduce safer, more efficient maneuvers.
EQUIPMENT
5 cones to form chutes for 4 lanes / a ton of half tennis balls for lane markers
PROCEDURE:
A) Starts: Demonstrate how to get started; allow space for everyone to try it. Straddle the
bicycle with both feet on the ground; do not sit on the seat. Raise the right pedal to the
two o’clock position (see photo); this provides power to start. Put your right foot on the
pedal (left foot stays on the ground). Push off with the left foot and at the same
time stand on the raised pedal; do not pedal after pushing off. Coast to a stop
while standing on the pedal that has been pushed down. When the cyclists are
comfortable with this procedure, have them place their second foot on the other
pedal, their backside on the seat and keep pedaling.
B) Stops: Discourage stops that are executed by dragging feet. For coaster brake bikes,
make sure the rider knows how to pedal backward to apply pressure that stops the bike.
For hand brakes, make sure the rider squeezes the brake levers evenly with both hands.
They need to know that using only one brake – especially just the left brake – IS NOT
THE BEST WAY TO STOP AND CAN BE DANGEROUS (pitching over or skidding
out of control). Hand brakes are not the best choice for small children.
How to stop and dismount: Slow down by using the brakes. As the bike nears a stop, slide off
the seat and put your weight on a pedal in the “down” position. Take your other foot off the
pedal and prepare to place it on the ground when you’re going slowly enough. If you’re using
hand brakes, be sure and keep pressure on the brake levels.
C) Snail Race – “Where the slowest one…WINS!” The race course
is approximately 75 feet long, with one-foot wide lanes.
Contestants start the race together, and the last one across the
finish line wins! No weaving or placing a foot on the ground.
This “race” helps cyclists hone their low speed balance skills.
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STATION #3: Quick Turn ( w/ Rock Dodge & Super Slalom)
OBJECTIVE:
Cyclists often fail to notice roadway hazards before it’s too late. This station will help teach
riders how to make a sharp turn while still moving at speed.
BACKGROUND:
There are many reasons why a bicyclist may have to make a quick turn. This maneuver should
be practiced in a controlled environment before doing it on the roadway where motor vehicle
traffic is present. The “quick turn” is quite different from a planned or intended turn. For a
planned turn, the rider does much of the turning by leaning the bike in the direction of the turn.
The bike then steers around the turn, while the rider adjusts the handlebar to keep the bike
directly under the rider. However, in a quick turn there is no time to turn by leaning. To do the
quick turn, the rider does a quick flick of the handlebars in the opposite direction he/she will
turn. This will cause the bike to lean in the direction of the turn – serving as a “setup approach”
to the quick turn . So if the rider flicks the handlebar to the left, the bike will lean to the right
(the direction he/she wants to make the quick turn – again, serving as a “setup approach” to the
turn). Right when the bike begins to lean right, the rider quickly turns the front wheel to the
right (if making a quick turn to the left, the bike will lean to the left, and the rider will turn the
front wheel to the left). This motion should align the bike into a natural leaned turn. It is very
important for the rider to keep his/ her inside foot at the top of the pedal stroke to avoid hitting
the foot and the pedal on the ground as the bike leans.
The maneuver sounds more complicated than it is, and should be done quickly in one sooth
motion.
QUICK TURN EQUIPMENT:
2 cones for a starting line / 2 alley cones / 4 perimeter cones / 10 domes cones for turning radius
ROCK DODGE EQUIPMENT:
5 gal bucket with 5 large sponges / 1 gal bucket with water
SUPER SLALOM EQUIPMENT:
9 cones for course
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PROCEDURE:
Quick Turn: On the instructors command, the participants will ride down the row of cones, one
at a time, toward the course instructor. Just as the rider reaches the “T”, the instructor will point
to the left or the right. The rider is to do the quick turn in the direction the instructor points.
When beginning the station with a group, give riders more time to make their turn. As riders
become accustomed to the activity, make it more difficult by giving less time for riders to react.
On their return back to the starting line they will do one of two maneuvers: the Rock Dodge or
the Super Slalom.
SERPENTINE
ROCK DODGE
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Rock Dodge: Cyclists are to ride straight toward the object and steer around it at the last
moment. They should steer by turning the handlebars first one way (to avoid the object), then
turning back the other way to put the bike back in the intended line of travel. The biggest
mistake people make with this exercise is not going fast enough toward to obstacle, or making
the maneuver too slowly. It is designed to simulate a situation where a cyclist is traveling at a
good speed down the roadway and suddenly encounters an obstacle. It happens fast, and can’t be
practiced effectively if going at a snail’s pace. The placement of pairs of sponges close together
is designed to make sure the cyclist doesn’t simply make a big swerve around the “rock”.
What to Look For: Does the front tire avoid the hazard (doesn’t really matter if the rear tire runs
over the rock)? Was there quick turning action?
Super Slalom: This activity will challenge riders to keep their balance and avoid hitting cones as
they weave and serpentine between cones that are placed 6-8 feet apart (depending on the age of
the participants. This activity should be able to complete the course without hitting any cones
and/or putting a foot down.
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STATION #4: Scan-N-Signal & Road Riding
OBJECTIVE:
To teach riders how to look behind them for traffic without swerving or falling
BACKGROUND:
Many unskilled bicyclists are scared of looking back for motor vehicle traffic because they
cannot do it without swerving. This skill will teach the rider to look back while continuing in a
straight line. There are a couple of different ways to look back: over the shoulders or under the
arms.
QUESTIONS TO GET ‘EM THINKING:
As the riders arrive to this station explain the following situation to them:
“You are riding down the street and decide to turn left at the next corner. What’s the
most important thing to do before making the left turn?”
A likely answer might be, “give hand signals.” Tell them signaling is important but there is
something much more important – Look behind you! Then ask, “Why is that important?”
EQUIPMENT:
Car signs / 2 start/stopping cones / 4 dome cones to go around in course
PROCEDURE:
A) SCANNING: Have the riders ride down between the two marked lines. Make sure they
know where to stop and form a waiting line once they complete the loop. When the rider
is part way along the instructor will call out to “Scan for cars” and the rider is to look
behind them and tell you whether or not there is a car
coming by saying “Car!” or “No Car!”. Hold the
sign (or have a volunteer) in front of you when there
is a car coming and to your side when there is no car
coming. (If you’re short on signs, you can hold your
hands above your head to signal a car coming) Stay
about 10 feet away from the rider. The rider should
be able to do this without swerving outside the
marked lines, without putting his/her fieet on the
ground and without stopping.
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B) SCAN & SIGNAL: Once they get the feel of this activity, add a final skill – signal a
turn after scanning!
C) RIDING ON THE ROAD (if time permits): Roadway positioning refers to the
cyclist’s position on the roadway. The law states that a cyclist should bicycle as far to the
right as is safe, or practical. A common error among cyclists is to ride TOO FAR TO
THE RIGHT where they may hit a curb, don’t have enough room to maneuver around a
hazard (such as a pothole, rock, or drain grate), or be seen by traffic. It’s important to
remember that cyclists positioned too far to the right are less visible to motorists. Have
students ride next to the curb staying close but also a safe distance away. Add a “parked
car” sign and have riders get used to moving out and around the parked car. Did they
scan before going around the parked car??
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REFERENCES
“AN ORGANIZER’S GUIDE TO BICYCLE RODEOS”
Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14850
[email protected]
“BICYCLE RODEO SKILLS PACKET”
Violence & Injury Prevention Program
Utah Department of Health
“BICYCLE RODEO MANUAL”
Palmetto Cycling Coalition
www.pccsc.net
[email protected]
(803)445-1099
“SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RODEO MANUAL”
Marin County
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-NON-COMPETITIVE FUN FOR BICYCLISTS IN GRADES 3RD - 6TH GRADEGranby Elementary is holding a Bike Rodeo for any interested students that attend Granby and are in
3rd-6th grade. The Rodeo will include a bike safety inspection by PERFORMANCE BICYCLE mechanics, bike
helmet fitting, stations to test your skills, and lots of fun with other 2-Wheeled Gators!
WHO:
WHO Any Granby student in grades 3rd-6th who likes to ride a bike
WHERE:
WHERE Granby Elementary Playground Blacktop Area
WHEN:
WHEN Wednesday, September 21st from 6-8pm
HOW TO REGISTER:
REGISTER Fill out form below and return it to Mr.
Armstrong on or before September 19th.
WHAT TO BRING:
BRING Bring your bike and helmet to the event. Don’t have one? That’s
OK, still come - we’ll have some on hand that you can borrow during the event!
STUDENT RODEO REGISTRATION FORM
Student Name:_______
Grade: _____
Email That Can Be Used to Send Info About Event:_______________________
Do you need to borrow a bike and/or helmet?
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
____ Yes, I am able to volunteer to help with running the Bike Rodeo!
Name:
Email:
VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS
STATION #1 – Bike Inspection / Helmet Fitting / Registration
*Teacher Instructor = Ms. Easley & Mr. Korn
Divide students at this station into 3 groups: A’s, B’s, and C’s. Direct them to the
correct area. Stress that there are 3 STOPS to this one station!!!
A) REGISTRATION AREA
*Deb Hoffman
*Colleen Kennedy
*Barb Burton
B) BIKE INSPECTION AREA
*Mechanic – Performance Bikes
*Mechanic – Performance Bikes
*Mechanic – Performance Bikes
*Mechanic – John Zink
*Mechanic – John Yerkey
C) HELMET FITTING AREA
*Run by Academy of Pediatrics
*Jeff Geren
*Amy Geren
STATION #2 – Starts, Stops, and Snail Race
*Teacher Instructor = Mrs. Ruffing
*Bike Demo Rider – Grant Sugar
*Station Helper – Betty Sugar
*Station Helper – Amy Foster
STATION #3 – Quick Turn
*Teacher Instructor = Mr. Hollinger
*Bike Demo Rider – Rob Gallo
*Station Helper – Patrina Wariner
*Station Helper – Tammy Bryant
STATION #4 – Scan-N-Signal / Road Riding
*Teacher Instructor = Mrs. Hopkins
*Bike Demo Rider – Justin Travis
*Station Helper – Patty Bennett
*Station Helper – Kristina Kochheiser
Traffic Directors
Help kids move from one station to another
*Jeff Boughton*Patricia Boughton – From Station#1 to Station #2 – Help direct
riders to Station #2, forming 4 lines behind the riding lanes on the blacktop.
*David Howard*Catherine Keener – From Station #2 to Station #3 – Help direct
riders to Station 3 and get kids into a nice straight line at that station.
*Beth Phillips*Catie Schick – From Station #3 to Station #4 – Make sure riders
dismount from their bikes as they go down the curb into the closed off parking lot
area
*Erika Reed*Amy Loring – From Station #4 to Station #1 – Help direct riders to
Station #1, helping kids with guiding their bikes over the curb if needed.
“Floaters”
Phil Haase
Katrina Turner
Bridgette Hazelett
Darren Smith
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANKS TO:
• Angela Krile and the Academy of Pediatrics – FREE HELMETS!
• Jess Mathews – from “Consider Biking”. Providing the lender bikes and
helmets.
• Gary, MGR from Performance Bicycles – several mechanics and – FREE
WATER BOTTLES!
• Patty Bennett – FREE post rodeo snack!
• Senator Bacon for coming out and supporting recreational biking and
helmet use. He will be helping pass out helmets – be sure to say ‘hi!’
• Parent Volunteers & Bike Demo Riders - for helping run the Bike Rodeo
– couldn’t do it without you!
INSTRUCTIONS:
• Welcome!
• A Bike Rodeo is an educational event focusing on riding safely and
developing skills. Although today’s event will be loads of fun, the MAIN
GOAL = education! Give parents and teachers your undivided attention
when receiving instructions throughout the day.
• “Straddle Position” = both feet on ground straddling your bike. This is the
position for receiving instructions when you arrive at a station.
• 4 stations @ 22 minutes per station. Each tag has a number listed on it.
This number is the station that you will BEGIN to start the program. Then
just follow the rotation, with station 4 rotating back to station 1.
EQUIPMENT:
o STATION 3 – HELMET/BIKE FITTING
• Tool box w/ hex wrench from home
• Bike pump from home
• Helmet table / Bike Tool Table
• Sharpies & masking tape / labeling helmets (Korn)
• Trash cans
o REGISTRATION
• Registration Table & 3 chairs
• Clipboard w/ Roster of names, pens, sharpies – registration table
• Clipboard with VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS at registration table
• Blank name tags – Regsitration table
• Tent (JustinTravis) – Registration area
• Copy of volunteer list – put at registration table
•
o STATION 4
• Cardboard cars – to station 4
• Caution tape, yield sign, LG cones – block parking lot for station 4
o EXTRAS
• Jug of water
• Station signs
• Cones
• Dome cones
• ½ Tennis balls
• Sponges for Rock Dodge, 5 gallon pail w/ water
• Maps of station layout
• Blow horn – station rotating
• Mega Phone – making announcements
•
EMAIL SENT TO ALL VOLUNTEERS BEFORE EVENT
HEY BIKE RODEO-ERS!
A huge thanks for spending your time with the students of Granby to help with our Bike Rodeo! I
think it's going to be a great event for our kids!
I have attached a "volunteer assignment sheet" that should have your name on it. If it doesn't, let
me know - I never turn away someone looking to help!
Here are some informational "nuggets" to get us all on the same page:
*I feel that I have already made the first error of our event with the time schedule. We have 4
stations running a half hour long. This time doesn't account for riders to check in at the
registration table and get brief instructions before we begin. I feel that we will probably end
closer to 8:30 than 8:00.. oops!
*The first thing that Rodeo participants should do when they arrive is check into our registration
table.
*With our start time being at 6pm, if students have signed in at the registration table and it's still
not 6pm, we don't want kids riding all over without instruction. Let's all work together to keep kids
off bikes until we begin the Rodeo. Have students refer to the number on their name tag – this is
the station that they will begin at – and park their bike at that station.
*This is a new program for everyone - kids will be pretty amped up- but the main goal of this
program is to educate kids on the skills of riding a bike safely and effectively. When any volunteer
(teacher or parent) is giving instruction, let's make sure that we all monitor the kids to ensure that
they are listening and not talking or disrupting others. Require respect while maintaining a friendly
disposition.
*LET'S ALL HAVE FUN!!! A 2 hour event is too long not to enjoy ourselves!
Once again, thanks a ton for you time and effort and we'll see you next Wednesday!!!
Rick Armstrong