How to Organize a Bike Rodeo at Your School

Western towns fight over the title to the original rodeo competition, but historians do agree that the contests pitted cowboys against each other to win recognition as the master of tasks used on western ranches. The rodeo tradition continues to test cowboys in riding and roping, and bicycle riders have borrowed the concept to challenge cyclists' skills in rodeo-type events of basic-cycling skills. Demonstration skills shown at bicycle events teach safety skills and also allow riders to show off skills and techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Rodeo station equipment
  • Contest score sheets
  • Permission slips
  • Publicity materials
  • Extra bicycle helmets

Instructions

    • 1

      Select a location for the bicycle rodeo. Look for a place with a large paved area that has open spaces for the bicycle stations.

    • 2

      Solicit volunteers to work at the event. The number of adult and community helpers determines the size of your rodeo and the number of stations offered.

    • 3

      Set the details for your rodeo, including the date for the event, and identify the rodeo skill events for your competition. The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, a Seattle, Washington-based group organized to promote cycling safety, recommends a simulation where riders practice entering the street from a driveway; a station for bicyclists to travel across an intersection using hand signals; and another station where cyclists demonstrate how to scan behind them to look for approaching vehicles.

    • 4

      Collect the necessary props and equipment using your list of rodeo events. Key tools and equipment include various colors of sidewalk chalk, highway cones, yield and stop signs, and potted bushes to train cyclists how to look for block signs and increase visibility. Bring hand tools and several cardboard car silhouettes to demonstrate safety scenarios and valuable repair skills at rodeo stations.

    • 5

      Develop a kid-friendly score sheet to use during the bike rodeo events. Scoring should encourage improvement rather than focus on negative feedback. State the need for improvement using constructive terms to motivate children to work on deficient skills. Positive scoring sheets use checklists with terms such as, "Keep practicing," rather than "Failed skill station."

    • 6

      Write a permission form for participants using volunteers from the local legal community. Duplicate the permission slips for the kids to sign before joining the rodeo. Parents and guardians must sign and give permission for minor children. Use state laws defining minor children to set guidelines for the required signatures.

    • 7

      Write press releases, create fliers and design posters to develop your publicity packet for your rodeo.

    • 8

      Hold a practice tabletop run-through of your events using your volunteers so everyone understands the rodeo stations and duties.

    • 9

      Distribute your publicity materials and promote your rodeo at local schools, youth centers and churches.

    • 10

      Set up your equipment at least an hour early at your competition venue and open your rodeo to riders at the time stated on your publicity materials.

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