Town of Huntsville’s family bike events are a wheelie fun time

Do you remember riding your bike as a kid? Maybe you had a playing card thwacking away in the spokes, maybe you had streamers catching the wind as you tore down the street, but always it was fun. Two upcoming events – the Kids’ Bike Rodeo and the Mayor’s Bike Ride – are all about that enjoyment of getting outside on wheels powered by you.

Mayor’s Bike Ride, June 9, 6:30-8:30pm

Cycling can be for fun, for family time, for sport or for transportation. Riding your bike isn’t just healthy, it can help you save on fuel and vehicle maintenance, and it’s good for the environment, too.

The second annual Mayor’s Bike Ride encourages people to think about cycling in ways they maybe hadn’t before and provides a safe environment to try out riding on the road if you’ve been hesitant to get out there.

Riders enjoyed the evening sun on Town Line Road E at the inaugural Mayor’s Bike Ride in 2015

Prior to the ride, Mayor Scott Aitchison will speak about the new cycling laws, and bring awareness to sharing the road – both cyclists and drivers need to be courteous, predictable and safe.

The mayor will then lead cyclists of all abilities on a 12-kilometre loop through downtown Huntsville, beginning at River Mill Park. Experienced cyclists from TriMuskoka will cruise throughout the route to answer questions and provide assistance when needed.

The route is well-signed and takes less than an hour to complete. Post-ride there will be healthy snacks and juice, and local bike shops, the OPP and the ride’s champion, The SportLab, will be on hand to answer questions.

Registration begins at 6:30pm on June 9 in River Mill Park; the ride starts at 7:00pm. If you have young cyclists in your family, you might want to check out the Kids’ Bike Rodeo earlier in the afternoon – details below.

Kids’ Bike Rodeo, June 9, 4:30-6:30pm (pre-registration required)

There are no bucking broncos in this rodeo, but there is a ton of fun.

As a parent, you want to be sure your child is safe when out on a bike. That’s where this interactive clinic comes in. Kids aged five to twelve will make their way through stations that help them understand the things they need to be aware of on the road, like recognizing road signs, using cycling hand signals, and safely crossing intersections.

There’s an agility course – sure to be a highlight – with cyclists riding as slow as they can while maneuvering through pylons and doing shoulder checks to identify images held up by volunteers. And the OPP will also be there to ensure your child’s bike is in safe working order.

At the end of their timeslot, each young cyclist will receive a delicious snack, a completed checklist, a special certificate and some bike goodies courtesy of rodeo partners Sustainable Huntsville, the OPP and The SportLab.

The Kids’ Bike Rodeo is free of charge, but you do need to register in advance – call 855-776-7852 or drop in to The SportLab (68 West Road, Unit #2, Huntsville) to book a half-hour timeslot for your child. The rodeo is from 4:30-6:30pm on June 9; a parent or guardian will need to accompany your child.

When you’re done, head on over to River Mill Park and join in the Mayor’s Bike Ride, too! Because cycling is fun for everyone.

For more information on these events, please visit huntsville.ca.

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