SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The weather was lousy. Riding a bike is a sunny-day activity.

Kindergartners through fifth-graders were invited to learn safe-riding skills on their bicycles and scooters at a bike rodeo hosted by the California Highway Patrol’s Sacramento Office and the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market (GHP) on Sunday, April 27.

But the weather was not cooperating during the event, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elk Lodge 6’s parking lot, 6446 Riverside Blvd.

The Pocket News featured the safety event on its front page. The Sacramento City Unified School District sent out more than 6,000 emails to parents of children at seven elementary schools. None of that mattered because the weather was terrible.

The children who did show up had a great time. The CHP conducted its bike rodeo that focused on teaching safe-riding skills, including proper stopping at stop signs and lights, rider balance, turning and maintaining a safe speed. 

The first 100 children to complete the course received a free cookie from Sweetbrier Bakery at the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market.

 They had their choice of a sprinkled cookie, chocolate chip or monster cookie. All of the children received a badge from the CHP.

“We’ve had the California Highway Patrol at our market before and kids got to sit in a patrol car, but this is the first time we’ve ever hosted their rodeo,” said GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market’s event coordinator Susan Riddell. “We were really happy to host this very worthwhile community event.”

Elks Lodge 6 Exalted Ruler Rob Moore said, “In California, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities account for 20 percent of all traffic-related deaths within CHP jurisdiction.” 

As a parent of two small children, Moore is proud that the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market sponsored this important activity for children from seven local schools. His oldest son, David, is 5, and he was the first child to complete the course.

Riddell said, “Bike rodeos are a great way for kids and their parents to learn about biking safety through hands-on practice.” 

Youth who braved the weather had plenty of fun and enjoyed stopping by Sweetbrier Bakery to select a free cookie of their choice for completing the course.

Vic Cima, the GreenHaven Pocket Farmers Market general manager, said, “This was a great community project that we will sponsor again and we hope for better weather next time.”

Riddle also said, “I would like to let the people know if they missed the bike rodeo to check the Pocket News. Through the summer, we will be having more events with CHP and bike safety.”