Kick off your summer riding with attending a bicycle rodeo!  Participants will learn important bicycle maintenance, safety and riding skills in an interactive, hand-on format on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 10 am to noon at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Pecatonica in Building 4.  Participants may choose to bring their own bicycle and helmet, or they can borrow one for the event. 

Youth will rotate through 5 stations including a bike check/ pre-trip, rules of the ride, traffic signals, traffic safety and road test.  We will conclude with event with a group ride around the fairgrounds and lunch (hot dog & chips) courtesy of the Pecatonica Lions Club.  Pecatonica Fire Department and Police Departments will also be on scene with a possible visit with Sparky the fire dog!

Two lucky participants will take home a brand-new bike from The Bicycle Hub!  They must be present at the time of the drawing to win.  All participants will receive a swag bag with goodies sponsored from local businesses.  

“We are excited to bring back this program for the second year in a row after the great success we had last year,” states Becky Gocken, Winnebago County 4-H Program Coordinator.  “This is a wonderful collaboration to teach the children about bicycle riding and safety.”

This event is open to any youth ages 5 to 18 years old with a pre-registration required.  There is no cost to participate!  To register visit http://go.illinois.edu/bicyclerodeo or by calling the Winnebago County Extension Office at 815-986-4357.  The youth bicycle rodeo is a collaboration of University of Illinois Extension- Winnebago County 4-H, The Bicycle Hub and the Pecatonica Lions Club.  The deadline to register is June 15.  Space is limited.