Photo: Laura Durenberger-Grunow 

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - Updated May 16, 2024, originally posted May 6, 2024


Cycling season is officially upon us, so get ready to pump up your tires and dust off your seat and helmet (if you haven't already). In fact, May is National Bicycle Month, and to celebrate, Cook County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) and Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) are teaming up with MN Safe Routes to School, and BikeMN to host a variety of fun and engaging activities. 

Kid's Bicycle Safety Rodeo on May 16

Cook County Safe Routes to School presents the annual Kid's Bike Safety Rodeo on May 16, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Cook County Community Center. 

According to Mattson, a bike safety rodeo is: 

“...a skill-building obstacle course developed to teach children basic bicycle riding skills like stopping, balancing, signaling, and turning. These events provide an opportunity for bicyclists to practice and develop effective cycling skills and avoid typical crashes.” 

A bike safety course will be available to help kids practice important skills that they can utilize for the rest of their lives. Bike maintenance stations will also be on-site for kids and adults to get their bikes tuned up. Finally, free helmets will be available thanks to a 2023 donation from Joynes Ben Franklin, and from CC Safe Routes to Schools, thanks to a grant from the North Shore Collaborative. 

Don’t have a bike, or don’t want to bring your own? You can borrow one from the Cook County Bike Fleet to practice on. 

In case of rain, the event will take place at the Cook County Community Center Arena. 

Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles. Learn more or sign up here.

************ The following events took place earlier this month. *************

Walk! Bike! Fun! in-School Bike Education

The biking activities kick off with Walk! Bike! Fun! in-School Bike Education for Cook County Sawtooth Elementary 3rd graders and Great Expectations School Wolves (3rd/4th grade). Students will learn bike safety tips, basic bike repair, and actual on-the-road training, which will take place on May 7 ("in-the-gym" day) and May 9 (outdoor "on-the-road" day). 

"Biking is a great family activity that can be enjoyed over a lifetime. We hope by introducing 3rd graders to bike safety we can instill a love of cycling at a young age that will last a lifetime," Kristina Mattson, CC SHIP coordinator, told Boreal Community Media. 

Volunteers are needed for both May 7 and 9. No experience is necessary. Learn more or sign up here. 

Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day on May 8

Another event taking place this week is Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day on May 8. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, over 150 Minnesota schools are signed up for the event. Mattson shared that the "Safe Routes to School program has numerous benefits to local communities including reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and helping kids arrive to school focused and ready to learn." 

Research shows that kids who walk, bike, or roll to school are more focused and ready to learn when they get there. They’re less likely to have behavioral problems and have overall greater academic achievement. Kids are also more likely to gain independence and experience an increase in overall confidence - especially when navigating their own community.

If you don't live close enough to walk, bike, or roll to school, you can participate in a walking school bus or bike train by dropping your kids off at the Cook County Community Center or the Cook County Courthouse around 7:30 am (7:40 am is the departure time for both locations). 

Volunteers are needed on May 8 to assist with the walking school bus or bike train. Learn more or sign up here.