David Thompson Bike Rodeo Empowers Young Riders with Safety Skills

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Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications and Board Administration

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, students at David Thompson Elementary School (DT) started their day learning about bike safety at the DT Bike Rodeo. This fun and educational day aimed to promote physical health and safety for a vibrant school community that values outdoor play.

“David Thompson Elementary is in a community that values and promotes children playing outside,” shared Principal Dyan Gunnlaugson. “Many students here grow up playing outside, camping, fishing, hiking, and playing sports. We view the school as an extension of the community and aim to promote physical health literacy and mental wellness.”

Students from Grades 1–7 of all abilities were invited to bring their helmets, bikes, scooters, and striders to school to participate in games and safety lesions. Partnering with RCMP, ICBC, BC Alliance for Healthy Living, local bike mechanics, and community volunteers, the DT Bike Rodeo offered four interactive stations, each designed to teach essential biking skills and safety.

At the helmet check station, RCMP Corporal Dana Napier checked each student's helmet and taught everyone how to make sure their helmet is tight enough and in the correct position to protect their heads. Once the student’s helmets were secured on their heads, they learned the hand signals for left, right and stop.

At the Bike Check station, Marty (a bike mechanic and previous president of the BMX club), taught the ABCs of bike check safety: A for Air in your tires, B for Brakes, and C for Chain. After checking their bike tires, brakes, and chains, students were ready to tackle the Bike Rodeo obstacle course.

Students went through the obstacle course on foot, bikes, three-wheelers, accessible bikes, and scooters to practise braking, turning, and manoeuvring around safety cones.

The Bike Rodeo also featured lots of fun games including a tire throw and spin the wheel.

While the games and outdoor play made for an exciting morning, many students commented that their favourite part of the day was learning about helmet safety and the ABCs of bike safety.

The DT Bike Rodeo was testament to the District’s value of Equity and commitment to removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff to thrive from the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. Each activity was accessible to all students, regardless of ability or skill level. As Grade 4 student Ella shared “It doesn’t matter your skill, everyone can have fun riding.”

The Bike Rodeo not only equipped students with valuable skills but also reinforced the message that being active and safe while enjoying outdoor activities is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Leaving school that day, students were eager to ride their bikes safely and confidently in their neighborhoods!

Thank you to all the volunteers who made the DT Bike Rodeo a day students will remember: Alex Inglis (SD73 Health Promoting Schools Coordinator), Ingrid (ICBC), Corporal Dana Napier (RCMP Liaison Officer), Sofie Winkels (RCMP School Resource Officer), Sim (Crime Prevention Liaison), and Marty (previous president of the BMX club).