Special activities part of Bike Month

Bicycle enthusiasts had a chance to kick off Bike Month a few days early with a special event this past weekend.

As a kickoff for the annual, Charlottetown Police Services hosted a free bike rodeo event for children ages eight to 12 and their families on at Simmons Sports Centre.

The rodeo was an interactive lesson designed to teach children the skills and basics of riding a bicycle safely. The free, family-friendly event included bike check-ups, a free barbecue and information booths on cycling safety. Attendees also had a chance to win a new bike. The City of Charlottetown has partnered with several organizations to declare June bike month. Friday, June 8, is Bike to Work Day. The city is inviting Charlottetown businesses to participate by encouraging their employees to walk or bike to work instead of travelling by car. June 8 is also Bike or Walk to School Day.

The city is partnering with go!PEI and Charlottetown schools to encourage kids to bike or walk to school as part of their active and safe routes to school initiative.

Then on Monday, June 11, the Velo Vixens and Cycling P.E.I. will host a free workshop on the basics of bike maintenance. Bike Care 101 will feature P.E.I. bike guy, Geoff Murray, with information and demonstrations on wheel removal and installation, flat tire repair, tire and lube installation, basic brake adjustment and shifting adjustment. Pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register for any of the events, visit: www.charlottetown.ca and click on Cycling Events under Events and Initiatives.

KATIE SMITH/THE GUARDIAN Eight-year-old Luke Ostridge from Charlottetown learns about bicycle safety from Josh Engroff, Sooraj Narayan and John Arsenault, officer cadets from the Atlantic Police Academy, at the Charlottetown Police Bike Rodeo at Simmons Arena on Saturday.