Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Nampa/ Northern Sunrise County Family and Community Support Services is excited to welcome back its annual bike rodeos, set to take place later this month.
Nampa Bike Rodeo will be hosted on May 23 at the Nampa Public School at 1 p.m., and the St. Isidore Bike Rodeo will be held on May 26 at 5 p.m.
“A bike rodeo is an interactive event aimed at teaching children essential bicycle safety, riding skills, and road safety tips,” explains FCSS director Amber Houle.
“The event typically includes a thorough bike inspection to ensure that each child’s bicycle is in proper working condition and that their helmets fit correctly. Beyond focusing on the mechanics of biking, the rodeo also emphasizes brain safety by highlighting the critical importance of wearing a helmet.”
Houle encourages participants to either bring their bike or a scooter to join in all the fun activities. She says the event is designed to be both educational and fun, providing children with hands-on experience and practical knowledge to help them ride safely and confidently.
“Our bike rodeos are specifically tailored for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, and they offer a fun and interactive environment where children can learn essential bicycle safety and riding skills through engaging activities and hands-on practice,” Houle says.
“The events often include obstacle courses and challenges that make learning exciting and memorable,” she adds.
“Additionally, bike rodeos foster a sense of community, bringing together families, friends, and neighbours to participate.”
The emphasis on safety and skill-building provides parents with peace of mind, knowing their children are gaining valuable knowledge that will help them stay safe while riding.
The two rodeos are being held with the hope that more county residents will attend.
“We offer a variety of door prizes at each event, and the Nampa Firefighter Association and the St. Isidore/Three Creeks Firefighter Association generously donate a bike annually for each event,” Houle says.
“The lucky winner gets to enjoy a unique experience: a ride in a fire engine to a local store to select a new bike, followed by a refreshing treat before heading home. To participate, attendees simply enter their name into the draw box upon arrival at the event.”
The event is hosted by Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Community Services partnering with Firefighter Associations and Alberta Health Services.
“These events provide a comprehensive education on bike safety, including proper helmet fitting, understanding traffic rules, and basic bike maintenance,” Houle notes.
“Through engaging activities like obstacle courses, hand signals, and balance exercises, kids can develop their biking skills and gain confidence in their abilities.
“Additionally, bike rodeos promote physical activity, encouraging a healthy lifestyle.”
Houle says the door prizes are selected to promote bike safety and enhance the biking experience. Prizes will include helmets, bells, bike decorations, locks, and a scooter.
“While there are no games at the event, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a practical and educational activity,” she says.
“After their bikes are inspected and they receive a brief safety message, they can test their skills on an obstacle course. This course is designed to simulate real road safety tasks, allowing participants to practice and demonstrate their abilities under supervision.”
Houle says St. Isidore’s event will include a hotdog barbeque with juice and water provided. Nampa’s event will provide juice, water, and a sweet treat. The event is completely free to attend.
For more information on the St. Isidore Bike Rodeo, call (780) 624-8071, and for more information on the Nampa Bike Rodeo, call (780) 322-3954.