Kids get ready for summer bike riding at Bike Rodeo

Kids got their bikes tuned up today at a free Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn, 94th and State Avenue. Timothy Hund, 6, left, watched as Greg Vaught, center, and Dave Chapman, right, of Big D Cycling, tuned up his bike. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Kids got their bikes tuned up today at a free Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn, 94th and State Avenue. Timothy Hund, 6, left, watched as Greg Vaught, center, and Dave Chapman, right, of Big D Cycling, tuned up his bike. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

by Mary Rupert
Volunteers from Big D Cycling were busy tuning up kids’ bicycles today at a Bike Rodeo, checking the chains and brakes and making sure they ran right.

“We just make sure the kids are safe,” said Dave Chapman, a volunteer with Big D Cycling, a group of bike enthusiasts.

The group was providing free bike tune-ups at the free Kansas City, Kan., Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo Saturday morning at the Schlitterbahn waterpark parking lot, 94th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kan. Rain held off while the event was taking place.

The nonprofit bike racing club has about 60 members. Volunteers like to get out to community events to show people how to ride safely and help kids, promoting safe cycling, Chapman said.

He added he tells each kid, “We always wear our helmets.”

The first 300 kids at today’s event, which ended at noon, received free bike helmets and free T-shirts. There were also bike riding skills courses and some refreshments. Those attending also had the opportunity to tour the Schlitterbahn waterpark. Car seat safety checks also were available.

The purpose of the Bike Rodeo, an annual event sponsored by the KCK Kiwanis West Club and other community sponsors, is to promote safety and prevent injuries from bicycle riding.

Bicycle safety certificates were presented to kids who completed the skills rides.

A free Bike Rodeo, sponsored by Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club and other community groups, was held Saturday morning at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
A free Bike Rodeo, sponsored by Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club and other community groups, was held Saturday morning at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

A volunteer gave Brian Wilson, 7, some candy at Saturday's free Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue. Brian was accompanied by his grandmother, Mavis Perkins, left. The event was sponsored by Kansas City, Kan., Kiwanis West Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
A volunteer gave Brian Wilson, 7, some candy at Saturday’s free Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue. Brian was accompanied by his grandmother, Mavis Perkins, left. The event was sponsored by Kansas City, Kan., Kiwanis West Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

A volunteer explained where Cody Gray, 4, should go on a bike skills course Saturday at the Schlitterbahn waterpark's parking lot. Cody's father, Chris Gray, right, accompanied his son. The Bike Rodeo was sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., Kiwanis West Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
A volunteer explained where Cody Gray, 4, should go on a bike skills course Saturday at the Schlitterbahn waterpark’s parking lot. Cody’s father, Chris Gray, right, accompanied his son. The Bike Rodeo was sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., Kiwanis West Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Cody Gray, 4, sets off on the bike skills course on Saturday at the Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark parking lot, 94th and State Avenue. The event was sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Cody Gray, 4, sets off on the bike skills course on Saturday at the Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark parking lot, 94th and State Avenue. The event was sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Cody Gray, 4, finishes this part of the bike skills course at the Bike Rodeo Saturday at the Schlitterbahn waterpark parking lot, 94th and State. His father, Chris Gray, is at the left. The event was sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Cody Gray, 4, finishes this part of the bike skills course at the Bike Rodeo Saturday at the Schlitterbahn waterpark parking lot, 94th and State. His father, Chris Gray, is at the left. The event was sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club and other groups. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Some kids attending today's Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark toured a Kansas City, Kan., fire truck. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Some kids attending today’s Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark toured a Kansas City, Kan., fire truck. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Rain held off on Saturday morning, allowing the Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue, to take place. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Rain held off on Saturday morning, allowing the Bike Rodeo at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue, to take place. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

The Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club sponsored the Bike Rodeo Saturday at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Kansas City, Kan., West Kiwanis Club sponsored the Bike Rodeo Saturday at the Schlitterbahn waterpark, 94th and State Avenue. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)