On Thursday Shifting Gears, Bemidji Community Education, and the Indigenous Environmental network, with the help of many volunteers, put on a successful bike rodeo for children in our area.  About a 100 kids had their bikes inspected, got free helmets, learned cycling skills, made bicycle powered smoothies, and won prizes.  Adults had the opportunity to try out the Rover 8, a newly designed adult trike by Terratrike, and hear about upcoming cycling events in the area.  Kirby Harmon, The Bike Guy, and his team aired up tires and made sure kids were riding safe equipment.  John Tibstra of The Home Place Bike and Ski Shop headed up helmet fitting.  Police chief Gerald Johnson and another officer showed up on bike patrol.  Shifting Gears awarded him a “3 Feet Please, It’s the Law” jersey in appreciation for his leadership advocating safe cycling in our community.  Check out the Bemdidji Community Education website for more pictures. Just click on gallery.  And how about the striking photo of volunteer Cody Bartz on the front page of The Pioneer yesterday?  Makes me proud to be a cyclist in Bemidji.  Now if it would just stop snowing!

Bjorn Eide helps a young lady make a bicycle powered smoothie.