Third graders in Yorkton are having an absolute blast this week as the RCMP’s annual bike safety rodeo has begun – intended to teach the youngest of the community on how to get from A to B safely on their two wheelers.

Bells rung and brakes squeaked as a group of third graders took over the parking lot next to St. Michael’s School. RCMP officers were waiting for them, and everyone seemed excited about the obstacle course laid out for them, and the chance to win one of eight new bicycles.

Before they could begin cycling, the children had to go through a helmet and bicycle inspection by the RCMP and local firefighters.

The group of children were just a few of those who’ll participate in the bike rodeo this year. Organizers will take the event to eight schools throughout the week, hoping to educate over 250 students about bike safety.

“The kids love it every year. The Grade 3’s know that they’re going to be doing this event. So, they look forward to it,” RCMP Cst. Kimberley Flett explained, who travelled to Yorkton to help out with the program. She is now working in Regina but came back to Yorkton to help with event.

“Even in Grade 1 they’re like can’t wait to get to grade three,” she added.

Flett says they are focusing on third graders because they want to ensure that everyone in Yorkton is educated on bike safety. The service added that third grade is when children start being independent.

“[The bike rodeo] is important because a lot of our kids in our communities ride bikes and letting them know the important safety rules and the importance of wearing a helmet to keep them safe is the main reason why we do this,” Flett explained.

Through the obstacle course, kids learn ways to get around the community safely. For example, to stop at stop signs, and to get off their bike when they’re at crosswalks.

A stop sign was fastened on a cone in the middle of the obstacle course, and helpers from Yorkton’s Bowl Arena reminded everyone who approached it to stop and look both ways.

The kids took to it quickly.

Knowing the rules of transportation is important for everyone. However, as Flett pointed out, physical safety is rudimental.

“The most important rule that we always try to teach them is that they need to keep their head protected. They need to have a helmet that fits properly, and they need to wear it every time.”

With the help of their sponsors, SGI and the Kinsmen Club of Yorkton, the RCMP was able to give a new helmet to each student.

“[This] opportunity to put a new and free helmet on every Grade 3 student goes a long way for public safety,” SSgt. Burton Jones said.

“[Yorkton] is a safe place to cycle, obviously keeping in mind, watching for traffic and watching what the drivers are doing,” said Mayor Aaron Kienle, who has been cycling around the city for 15 years.

His role at the event was to demonstrate the proper way of completing the obstacle course.

Cst. Flett advises anyone who is interested in learning about the proper way to fit their bicycle gear to visit the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website.

As the third graders in Yorkton get the hang of rules and their bikes, everyone else should to keep an eye out for the little cyclists in their shiny new helmets as they hit the road this spring.