Nearly 100 youth attended the biennial 4-H Bike Rodeo and Safety Day at the Grant County 4-H grounds on May 25. The rodeo was designed for kindergarteners through fifth-graders.
William Karels, 4-H member, founder and coordinator of the event says, “Many kids, like myself, live on a farm and are not experienced with riding in traffic. During the summer of 2013, a Milbank youth suffered severe injuries from a bike accident. I wanted to try and prevent future accidents.”
Each rider was fitted with a free bike helmet provided by the South Dakota Emergency Medical Services for Children and a safety grant from South Dakota Building Rural Communities (BRC).
“We are also excited to offer a summer incentive for youth to continue to wear their bike helmet,” says Sara Koepke, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Grant County. “If a law enforcement officer finds a youth wearing their helmet, they receive an ice cream token (redeemable) at Milbank Hospital-Avera.”
During the bike rodeo, the riders worked through a series of educational sessions including a bike safety check, bike handling obstacle course, first aid, and bike safety rules. Attendees also took a ride on Flynn Trail. Educational presenters included: The Grant County Sheriff’s Department, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Grant-Roberts Ambulance Service, and bike expert John Kampen.
Henry Gall and Jossalynn Spiering each won a bicycle donated by the ShopKo Foundation and Knights of Columbus. Bree Townsend, Camria Cameron, Jada Cameron, and Isabelle Flores won bike safety trophies courtesy of Street Graphex of Milbank.
Each biker also received a bag from Milbank Area Hospital-Avera containing a t-shirt and a bike reflector. The bike reflectors were purchased using a grant from the South Dakota State 4-H Leaders’ Association.
According to Karels, grants and donations allow the event to remain free. He says, “Those in attendance learn how local businesses care about the kids. If we did not have funding from the businesses and organizations, it would roughly cost each youth $25 to attend.”
A complimentary lunch was sponsored by Thrivent Financial and the Midwest Dairy Association. Each rider also received a certificate and a door prize.
“I admire the leadership William takes on this event,” Koepke says. “The rodeo is growing in the number of youth participating and also the support from businesses and organizations. This is an important event for Grant County youth to learn proper bike safety.”
Group leaders included: William Karels, Benett Street, Hope Karels, Madi Loeschke, and Cailey Sime. Other group assistants included Natalie Meyer, Tracy Pillatzki, Jessica Pillatzki, Devon Balling, Callie Bolin, and Heidi Meyer. Adult assistants were Susan Sime, Jason Karels, Susan Karels, Sally Heinje, and Sara Koepke.
Extra helmets are available at the Grant County 4-H Office in the basement of the Courthouse for youth who were unable to attend the Bike Rodeo. The next 4-H Bike Rodeo and Safety Day is is planned for 2020.
2018 Bike Rodeo participants included: Abril Ayala Ramirez, Adalynn Schmieg, Aiden Kelly, Alexis Meyer, Alyssa Rethke, Andrew Karels, Annabelle Schwenn, Avery Montag, Avery Schuneman, Benett Street, Brady Allen, Bree Townsend, Breven Schmieg, Brock Sime, Brynlee Schmieg, Cailey Sime, Camria Cameron, Chaxton Hicks, Devon Mueller, Drake Wellnitz, Elise Graham, Elliana Ritcher, Emir Lopez, Emma Tesch, Ethan Adolph, Ethan Shackelford, Evan Rethke, Evy Liebe, Fischer Ruhr, Hailey Heinje, Haley Swenson, Henry Gall, Henry Heller, Heyden Montag, Hope Karels, Ian Loehrer, Isabella Flores, Jacob Erickson, Jada Cameron, JadaLeigh Wellnitz, Jaxen Dockter, Jaxson Wiese, Jeter Scoular, Jossalynn Spiering, Kaci Zinter, Kannon Anderson, Keaton Johnson, Kenna Wellnitz, Kennedi Sayler, Kinley Swayze, Kye Scoular, Kyra Tostenson, Lawson Novy, Liam Heller, Lydia Gall, Mackenzie Mueller, Macyn Dunnihoo, Madi Loeschke, Mason Allen, Max Scoular, Micah Tostenson, Michael Janssen, Miriam Del Angel, Morgan Dunnihoo, Nolan Grabow, Nuria Rodriguez, Oakley Whipkey, Oliver Erickson, Parker Grabow, Ramzey Hick, Reese Rudebusch, Reese Schuneman, Rhyanna Rudebusch, Rhylei Gengler, Rylee Scoular, Sean Nicholson, Sebastian Flores, Shyenne Grossi, Sophia Bass, Sophia Schuchard, Sophie Gruba, Susie Schuneman, Sydnee Weyh, Tahlin Pearson, Thomas Bass, Tyler Heinje, TyLynn Wellnitz, Uziel Lopez, William Karels, Zayda Townsend, Zoe Schwenn
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