Free helmets available at Bike Rodeo this Saturday in Buxton
The Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition received a grant this spring from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to provide 100 free bike helmets to children in Dare County.
And a pair of free events have been scheduled for this month, one on Hatteras Island and one on the northern beaches, to distribute the helmets and let kids have a chance to show off their bicycling skills.
“The grant application and distribution has been a collaborative effort with Dare County Parks and Recreation, the Dare County Trails Committee, and the Dare County Sheriff’s Office,” said Jim Gould, vice-chair of the coalition.
“To distribute the helmets, we have devised a plan to host two Outer Banks Bike Rodeos for Dare County students K through 8,” Gould said.
The Buxton Bike Rodeo will be held Saturday, October 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Fessenden Center, with the Kill Devil Hills Rodeo on Saturday, October 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Family Recreation Park.
“Kids will navigate challenging courses to show off their safety skills and win prizes,” Gould said. “Coalition members and Dare County Sheriff Office will be on-site to promote safe biking.”
“Best of all, the first 50 participants at each rodeo receives a free helmet,” Gould said.
Volunteers are also needed at both events, working up to two hour shifts between 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., to help set-up the race course, tents and equipment, monitor the course and time keeping, helmet fitting and simple bike repair, and breakdown following the rodeo.
To volunteer, just send “I want to help” to vicechair@obxbikeped.org. For more information about the coalition, visit OBXBikePed.org.
