LAKEHURST – It was as much a test of bicycle safety skills as it was a nice pre-summer community event that brought together youngsters, parents, officers of the borough’s police department, first aid squad and council members to Horicon Lake recently for the annual Bike Rodeo event.
The annual event featured a bike inspection area in the parking lot where bicycles were examined for safety, as well as a test bike ride around part of the lake led by a police officer. One of the highlights was a specially crafted obstacle course set up by officers.
Police Lt. Iain James was back to take part in the program with several other police officers. Two picnic tables full of prizes were seen under the pavilion at the lake that children would take home.
“I’ve been here for 20 years and I’ve been involved with it for 20 years,” Lt. James remarked. “I’ve given the reins to Sgt. Madelyn Poss this year who is trying to change it up this year and do things a little different. We’ve always done it the same way but we got some fresh new ideas from her and we think the kids will enjoy it.”
“We have six officers out here today and those officers on the road are going to try and stop by,” Lt. James said. One of the changes that Sgt. Poss brought into play was the location of the obstacle course. It had been previously located in the parking lot but it was moved to the street leading to the parking lot off Union Avenue which necessitated that road’s temporary closure that morning. “We changed the course up differently.”
“The chalk drawings and some of the other things we put in there are different,” he added. One notable obstacle device was a metal Slinky and there were some small stuffed animals positioned in the path to be avoided.
“The number of kids we get fluctuates – normally 30 – but it depends as it is a weekend and there are activities like soccer going on other events going on,” James said.
“It is all about safety. We do the course to try to incorporate all the safety features into riding a bike, (such as) the ability to make a turn and we have a zig zag course where they go through the cones and this year we incorporated the debris field.”
“We have a trash field where they have to go and pick-up a piece of trash and put it in the trash can. We have a misting tent now which is simulating riding in the rain. It is a timed course and that is how we determine the awards but everybody gets something. We also have a raffle ticket,” he added.
Members of the Presbyterian Church of Lakehurst provided free cold drinks of lemonade and cookies for all those involved. The Lakehurst First Aid Squad stood by their rig just in case there were any incidents that required response and treatment. Councilman Steven Oglesby and Councilman Brian DiMeo and his wife Michele were also there helping out along with other volunteers.
The borough’s “Youth and Recreation Committee is helping out with registration and we’ll be give out prizes for the best art drawing,” Michele DiMeo said.
Borough Photo Historian Denise Maynard was out snapping photographs of all the activities and all the smiling young faces of the participants throughout the event.
The event is supported primarily through donations. Borough companies like Dollar General and Wawa contribute toward the activity along with community organizations.
