The Altoona Police Department, Fire Department and city government collaborated to put on their third annual Bike Rodeo. | Wikipedia Commons/Kenneth C. Zirkel
The Altoona Police Department, Fire Department and city government collaborated to put on their third annual Bike Rodeo. | Wikipedia Commons/Kenneth C. Zirkel
Young bikers from across the area recently braved all the elements in convening for the Altoona Police Department’s third annual Bike Rodeo.
The safety event was a collaboration between the Altoona Police Department, the Altoona Fire Department and the City. Assistant City Administrator Roy Atkinson noted that the push is to have kids be prepared for any situation biking on roadways.
"There are a lot of kids that are out riding," Atkinson told WQOW this week. "We wanted to provide an event like this to highlight ways for them to continue to be safe. So in our course we have cones that simulate potential obstacles, we have a vehicle parked out there, so how do you navigate a vehicle as you're riding?"
One biker recounted memories of the odyssey he found himself on in riding the trek.
"You weave through the cones here and then you turn that way and then, when you get there, if a car opened its door when you're right next to it, so you don't get hit." said Landon, a biker who rode the course. "And to stop at stop signs."
Riders learned hand signals, such as those that indicate they are making a turn. They also were shown examples of red flags that signal a dangerous ride on a bike—which could mean anything from a loose chain to disconnected brakes.
Island Parkside and Target donated two new bikes that were raffled off to anyone who completed the course.
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