Snoqualmie organizes a posse for bicycle rodeo
Published 11:47 am Thursday, October 2, 2008
SNOQUALMIE – Since people have to take a driver’s education class before they get their drivers license, it seems only logical to Snoqualmie Police Department assistant chief Ed Crosson that people should take a bike education class before they ride a bike.
“They are both vehicles [on the streets],” he said.
That is why the Snoqualmie police and fire departments will be hosting a free bike rodeo this weekend to teach people, specifically children, about bicycle safety. Other police agencies from the area will be on hand to help teach workshops on everything from wearing a helmet properly to what to do if chased by a dog while riding a bicycle.
Officers Kim Stonebraker and Paul Graham said there has long been a need for a bicycle safety course in the Valley. As officers who are regularly on patrol, the two said they see a lot of unsafe behavior. Children don’t always look both ways before crossing a street, and many will ride all over the street.
They said the intersection of River Street and Railroad Avenue is one area of Snoqualmie that sticks out as particularly dangerous, but no one part of the city is completely free of traffic hazards. With so many parks dotting the city, Graham and Stonebraker said children are likely to be on a bike on just about every street in Snoqualmie.
The need for more safety awareness was punctuated after local boy Tanner Jeans was killed in an accident with a truck earlier this summer while riding a bike in his Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood. Tanner’s mother, Christen Jeans, said he always wore his helmet and was routinely lectured about bike safety, but additional lessons about things not always thought of as dangers, such as riding in an alley or riding another child’s bike, can be life-saving information.
“Anytime I heard on the news about a child being hurt while riding their bike, I told Tanner and his little brother about it,” said Jeans in an e-mail. “I wanted them to understand how dangerous their favorite hobby could be if they weren’t careful.”
Snoqualmie officials hope to make the rodeo an annual event, preferably held each year right as school gets out for vacation so children get a refresher course on bike safety before they hit the streets for their summer play days.
“We are doing this because the department recognizes a need for bike and pedestrian safety,” Graham said.
* The city of Snoqualmie’s bike rodeo will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Snoqualmie’s Community Park, 35135 S.E. Ridge St. The free event is for those age 5 and up, and children from all over the Valley are invited. A helmet is required, but helmets will be available for use at the rodeo for those who do not have one.
