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Community Corner

Learning the Rules of the Road

Reston Association's Bike Safety Rodeo draws young riders to Lake Newport.

As they were rounded up at the rodeo, the young riders were ready to get out on the course and challenge their abilities.

About 100 young bike riders ages 5 to 12 and their parents attended a bike safety rodeo in the parking lot of the Lake Newport Pool on Saturday.  The annual event is sponsored bythe Reston Bicycle Club, and State Farm Insurance.

After a quick check by the Reston Bicycle Club to ensure that  tire pressure was good and helmets were on tightly, the children were off to stations to work on skills such as mounting/dismounting, circling and changing directions, and braking.

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The most challenging station was the crazy-eight figure, which taught the young cyclists to stay within the lines, pay attention, and watch the road in front of them.

“Going between the cones was hard," said Anna Schauer, 5.  She was thrilled to master the skill of using her brakes at the right time.

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Many parents who attended are avid cyclists themselves. They hope to pass the love of cycling on to their children.

Reston resident Adam Piceno says he's an enthusiastic biker and wanted his 3-year-old daughter Addison to start pedaling now.

“This was a good chance to get her to come out and practice,” he said. “She did well on the turns, but needed practice with the brakes.”

Ed Robichaud,  Reston Bicycle Club board member, said the purpose of the event was to show kids that biking is fun, and to make it safer for them. By teaching them low speed handling, and focusing on the proper fit of the helmets and braking, it builds their confidence, he says.

The Bicycle Club would like to see more children biking to school, and is planning to fund bike racks at local schools to promote cycling.

Dan and Amy Lender came out with their two children, Riley, 7, and Aiden, 4, because they know biking is a great activity for the entire family to do together – plus, the children really wanted to get the final product: a laminated card, the equivalent of a biking 'license.'

“Aiden really wanted to get his license, and he's finally without training wheels,' said Dan Lender.

 

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