The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Safe Kids Erie County, and Shriners Children’s Erie will host a free children’s bicycle rodeo in the City of Erie next month to encourage safe riding habits this summer.
The event, which is open to children of all ages, will take place Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the lot of Shriners Children’s Erie at 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA, 16505. If there is inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to a later date.
Activities will begin at 5:00 PM and continue until 6:30 PM. All children should bring a bicycle and helmet and be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can sign a permission slip for participation.
“We reintroduced bike rodeos to the City of Erie last summer and we saw a tremendous response from the community. It’s a perfect opportunity for families to bring their children for a night of fun all centered around being a safe bicyclist,” said Amanda Greenough, a Trauma Program Clinician with UPMC Hamot Trauma Services and the regional Safe Kids Coordinator. “The lessons learned at these events will build the foundation for a lifetime of safe riding.”
All riders will have the opportunity to navigate an obstacle course that teaches important bike safety skills such as balance, maneuvering around turns, and utilizing proper hand signals.
Helmet inspections will be completed for all children, and a limited supply of new helmets will be available courtesy of UPMC Hamot Trauma Services.
Bicycle inspections and minor repairs will be done by Bert’s Bikes and Fitness. A handful of differently-sized bikes will be available for children to use during the event if they do not own their own.
Each child who participates in the event will be entered into a random drawing for a new bicycle donated by Otis 12 Sports Bar and Grille.
A light meal will be provided for all in attendance.
Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done by visiting www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1 and selecting the “Bike Rodeo Registration” link under the “Public Resources” section.
Additional sponsors for the event include the Erie Blue Coats, expERIEnce Children's Museum, the City of Erie Fire Department, the Erie County Department of Health, the Highway Safety Network, Children’s Advocacy Center, Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project, and EmergyCare.
For more information on bicycle safety, visit www.pa.gov/DOTSafety.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.
Follow local PennDOT news on X and like the department on Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, sadaughert@pa.gov or 814-678-7095
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