BERNARDSTON — The annual Bernardston Police Association Bike Rodeo is gearing up for another rendition, with the latest installment set for Sunday at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bernardston Elementary School.
“It’s essentially a safety fair, trying to kick off bicycle safety for the summer as kids get released from school,” said Police Sgt. John Richardson. “Our main focus is to let the kids have fun that isn’t overly structured.”
He explained activities will include a bicycle course to help teach younger children to navigate around objects. Richardson also said there will be a speed trailer — which is always a big attraction — so the older kids can find out how fast they can pedal.
Bicycle World Inc. staff will be on hand to conduct safety checks, offer advice, and answer questions regarding bikes and safety equipment. Sweet Lucy’s Bakeshop is donating at least 100 cookies and Townline Ice Cream will have ice cream for children and parents. Franklin First Federal Credit Union staff will be present to share information on children’s saving accounts and to help hand out 100 T-shirts the Bernardston Police Department purchased for the event. Silver Screen Design printed the T-shirts crafted by credit union employees.
Richardson mentioned the department typically gives away 12 to 20 helmets at the Bike Rodeo “because kids grow fast and sometimes their helmets don’t fit properly.”
The sergeant said he attended similar events as a Boy Scout years ago and he thought it would be fun to hold a Bike Rodeo in the town. The first one in Bernardston took place in 2019, and the event has been held annually since then, save for 2020. Part of the reason Richardson came up with the idea in 2019 is because Leyden students were joining Bernardston Elementary after the closure of Pearl Rhodes Elementary School, and he figured the event would be a good way for Leyden kids to meet their new school community and its police officers.
“It’s really just a fun get-together kind of thing,” he said.
Richardson, who has been with the department since 2010, said Bernardston Elementary staff members have been critical to the Bike Rodeo’s success. He specifically mentioned Debra Wood, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District’s coordinated family and community engagement coordinator, and physical education teacher Steven Ludtke have set up the course for students in preschool and kindergarten.
“It’s almost like a festival-style event that’s going on there,” Richardson said.