Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bike Safety Rodeo 2008

7th Annual Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo

May 4, 2008

Historic Roswell Kiwanis believes that bicycle safety is one of the most important skills we can teach in order to keep children who ride safe on the roads.

During the year 2000, more than 350,000 kids under 15 suffered head trauma as a result of a bicycle crash. Of those, 130,000 kids suffered a brain injury, but the Brain Injury Association of Georgia says 88 percent of those injuries came from not putting on a bike helmet.

In order to participate in the Kid's races, children MUST participate in the Kid's Bicycle Safety Rodeo in order to race the kids races. The Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo is an organized "class" where children learn about cycling safety and bicycle handling skills organized by the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell. After the "class" portion, the children will have an obstacle course to navigate through in order to "graduate" from the class and be eligible to race in the Kids Race to be held on the same course as the Pro race!

One of the most popular events each year are the kids races. This is the event where children from the ages of 6 - 12 are allowed out onto the race course to experience the same thrills that the Pro riders experience. Depending on the age group, the races are either a straightline drag race beginning at Cherry St heading north on Canton to the finish line or a complete lap around the same course used by the Pro's. You will see everything from bikes with streamers, baskets, training wheels, bmx bikes, mountain bikes and some road bikes.

Emergency Medical Technicians from the Roswell Fire Department will be on site during the Rodeo.

Event

Time

Location

Rodeo Registration

2:00 - 3:30 pm

Roswell United Methodist Church

(corner of Magnolia St and Mimosa Blvd)

Rodeo Bike Inspections 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Roswell United Methodist Church

Roswell Kiwanis Bicycle Safety Rodeo 3:00 - 5:00pm Roswell United Methodist Church

For youngsters who want to participate in the kids' race, streets will be closed by Roswell Police and all who

have completed Safety Rodeo will be escorted to the start line of Kids Races at approximately 4:30 pm

Shimano Youth Series Kid's Races 5:30 - 6:00pm Corner of Canton St. & Cherry St.

Men's Professional Bike Race 6:00 - 7:30pm Start/Finish at Founders Hall on Canton St.

What is the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bike Safety Rodeo all about?

To complete the Rodeo, participants must complete all six stations. They are:

Station One -- Registration -- Opens at 2 pm

Parent or guardian must complete and sign a registration/liability release form.

Station Two -- Bike inspection -- Opens at 2 pm

All participants must have his or her bicycle inspected, free of charge, by the mechanics of Roswell Bicycles . Please have bike inspections done on-site and not at the Roswell Bicycles store in Roswell.

Station Three -- Helmet Inspection -- Opens at 2:30 pm

All participants must have an appropriate bicycle helmet which will be inspected at Station Three for proper fit and function. No helmets will be available for sale or loan at the site of the rodeo.

Station Four -- Brake Test -- Opens at 3 pm

All participants will demonstrate that he or she can properly use the brakes on his or her bicycle.

Station Five -- Obstacle Course -- Opens at 3 pm

Each participant will demonstrate proper maneuvering on the obstacle course.

Station Six -- Rules of the Road -- Opens at 3 pm

Each participant will demonstrate proper knowledge of the rules of the road, including knowledge of traffic signs, hand signals, etc.

When paticipants complete all circuits, they will receive a color-coded wrist band which permits them entrance to the race circuit. Youngsters WILL NOT be admitted to the race circuit without the proper wrist band.

Is there a cost for the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo?

There is no cost for participant or parents; this is another service of the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell.

What is involved in the Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo?

Each participant must complete six different stations, which are listed by clicking here

Will medical personnel be available during the rodeo?

Yes; Emergency Medical Technicians from the Roswell Fire Department will be on site during the Rodeo.

Can parents walk the course with their children?

Yes. Parents are welcomed to accompany their children around the circuits of the Rodeo.

Will food and beverages be available at the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo?

Food and beverages will be available for purchase in the areas around the Criterium race circuit. No food or beverages will be available at the rodeo site. It may be hot, so please be prepared.

Can I have my child's bicycle inspected before the rodeo at Roswell Bicycles?

In order to participate in the Rodeo, all participants must have his or her bicycle inspected, free of charge, by the mechanics of Roswell Bicycles . Please have bike inspections done on-site the day of the event and not at the Roswell Bicycles store in Roswell. Bike inspections will begin at 2 pm, one hour before the rodeo course is opened.

Will bikes or helmets be available at the Rodeo site?

Each participant should bring his or her own bike and helmet as none will be available at the Rodeo site.

Does my child have to participate in the Kids' Race or can he or she just participate in the Rodeo?

Rodeo participants can be part of the Kids' Race or just take part in the Rodeo.

Will the streets be closed when my child is escorted to the race circuit for kids races?

Yes. Roswell Police will temporarily close parts of Mimosa Blvd and Magnolia Street and will escort youngsters to the circuit. This will occur at approximately 4:30 pm. Of course, parents can take their children on their own to the race circuit. Participants will enter the race circuit at Turn One when called by race officials.

Where can we park?

Parents can park at Wachovia Bank, 37 Magnolia Street, and other marked areas. No vehicles (other that service and emergency vehicles) will be allowed on the lot used for the Rodeo.

Is the Rodeo part of the Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium?

Not exactly. The Criterium is on the same day and in the same general area of Roswell, but the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo is conducted and managed by the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell, Inc. The Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium is directed and managed by the Roswell Velo Cycling Club in association with the City of Roswell and USA Cycling.

Can Criterium race participants register at the Rodeo site?

Criterium participants must register through the race officials and not at the Rodeo site. Criterium registration can be done on-line at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6126; Online Registration Closes Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 8:00 am ET. The registration area for the Criterium -- not the Rodeo -- is at Vickers Automotive at the corner of Woodstock Road and Canton Street. Registration for the Bike Rodeo is at the rodeo site.

Where can I find out more about the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell?

Visit our web site at www.roswellkiwanis.org

What if I have questions not answered after I have read this page?

Contact the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo Chair Ron Jackson at: ronpjackson@bellsouth.net