Ebba Nelson is one happy little girl! Ebba, pictured here between Moving Matters coordinator Maren Webb and her mom Jackie, won a bike at the bike rodeo that was held last Thursday, May 18. Because Ebba is still quite small and the bike is quite big, she will be able to swap it for credit at Fireweed Bike Co-Op, or if they want, she can get one she can use in the next few years.
Despite a questionable forecast, the clouds parted and the sun came out for the Bike Safety Rodeo on May 18th. Over 100 children and parents came out for the fun and educational event sponsored by the Safe Routes to School Committee. This annual event is a great local opportunity for children to get ready for spring and summer biking with a bike and helmet check and bike safety education with a bike skills course.
In addition to the bike safety parts of the rodeo, attendees also had fun making their own smoothies using a bike that has been converted to run a blender: a “blender bike.” This has been a favorite part of the rodeo for many years, thanks to Mark and Melinda Spinler.
One rodeo participant left with quite a bit more than when she arrived. A drawing was done for a bicycle from Fireweed Bike Co-op, thanks to generous support from the North Shore Federal Credit Union and Grand Marais State Bank. Pre-schooler Ebba Nelson, daughter of Adam and Jackie Nelson, was the lucky winner of the bike and helmet. For those wondering when she will be big enough to ride the bike she won, the bike shop has offered to help her find a bike that will fit her a bit sooner, if the family prefers.
Above: He might have sold his bike shop, but Mark Spinler (hands on bike) still volunteers to fix bikes for free at the bike rodeo. Clipboard in hand, Henry DeArruda Weaver keeps track of what has been fixed. Left: One hand in his pocket, one hand shading the sun, Bo Christianson watches intently as Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux strives to improve Bo’s bike to make it a smooth ride.
The Bike Rodeo has been a Grand Marais staple for many years, helping kids be safer bicyclists with a properly fit helmet, a checked bike, and testing their ability on the skills course. Bicycling is a healthy and fun way to get around, no matter your age. From toddlers on strider bikes to older elementary students on 10-speed bikes, all had a good time checking out the rodeo and meeting both community volunteers and local law enforcement in a fun environment.
Safe Routes to School Coordinator Maren Webb would like to thank the Safe Routes to School Committee, Active Living Steering Committee, Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), ISD 166/Sawtooth Elementary School, Great Expectations School, North Shore Federal Credit Union, Grand Marais State Bank, Fireweed Bike Co-op, Como Oil and Propane, League Cycling Instructor Mark Spinler, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, North Shore Hospital, Superior Cycling Association, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and its Moving Matters project, Cook County Community Center, Johnson’s Foods, Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, City of Grand Marais Streets Department, and many other community volunteers.
The Safe Routes to School Committee updated its Safe Routes to School Plan in 2015, which includes education programs such as the Bike Safety Rodeo. Safe Routes to School programs include the 5 E’s: Education, Encouragement, Evaluation, Engineering, and Enforcement. For more information about Grand Marais Safe Routes to School, contact SRTS Coordinator, Maren Webb, at maren@sawtoothmountainclinic.org or 218-387- 2330.
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