They say you never forget how to ride a bike. If that’s the case, then about 45 students at Mayfair Elementary recently learned something they’ll never forget.
Mayfair Out of School Time, a program run by Catholic Social Services in conjunction with the school, hosted a bike rodeo to teach kids how to safely ride a bike. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students peddled their way through a mock bike trail in the school’s parking lot, which included a stop sign, pedestrian crosswalk and surprise stuffed animals on the road to keep kids aware of their surroundings.
This is the second year the bike rodeo was held. Officers from the 15th Police District offered safety advice and helped some students learn to ride.
“[Last year] was such a success seeing all the students out here on their bikes and scooters, and they just love being out there and being able to talk to police,” said Brittany Wikiera, assistant director of Mayfair OST.
The program also partnered with the Drexel University Nursing Program to help run the rodeo and ensure there were no injuries. The nurses showed a bike safety video before the rodeo began and hosted a Q&A once the riding was done.
A limited number of bags filled with school supplies were also distributed. ••