Cedar Lane event teaches kids bike safety

Cedar Lane Elementary School was transformed into an obstacle course Monday to help children learn to safely ride their bicycles.

The bike rodeo taught 145 children up about bike lanes, street signs, crosswalks, signals as well as other real-world situations. Helmets were given to 125 children. Those who brought their own helmets got them fitted correctly.

"I brought her down here because she doesn't have a lot of experience riding her bike out by herself," said Ginnie Jenkins of Marysville whose 7-year-old daughter, Markayla, rode the course with her pastel blue bike and a big smile.

"We don't think health just has to do with medicine. It has to do with: a social safety net, economic development, street safety design, making sure that people have safe neighborhoods and that we're all taking care of each other," said Rachel Farrell, executive director of Harmony Health Family Resource Center which, along with AmeriCorps, hosted the program.

Corner Bike Shop and First 5 Yuba each donated a bike that was raffled off. The Yuba County STARS and Linda Fire Department helped with the event.

"It's was a really great turnout and the big key is collaborating with all theses other entities," added Farrell.