Leesburg community supports bike safety event

Leesburg Lions Club member Georgia Barber has been dreaming of a bicycle safety rodeo for the children of Leesburg for a number of years.

Her dream came true on Saturday, May 3, at the Fairfield Elementary School parking lot as 29 children brought their bikes for a morning of fun and learning.

Many organizations and businesses in Leesburg came together for the event. In addition to the Lions Club, volunteers from Leesburg Fire & EMS were instrumental in the organization and implementation of the rodeo.

Highland District Hospital donated 50 new helmets to distribute to children who needed them. The Leesburg Lodge #78 Free Accepted Masons not only helped out during the event, but donated two brand new bicycles which were given away at the close of the rodeo.

The Village Council and the Police Department of Leesburg gave bicycle-related gifts to each child. Volunteers working the event included Lions Club, Fire Department and Masonic Lodge members, officers from the Police Department, plus Gary Barnett and his “bike inspection crew,” Becky Howard with her creative cardboard vehicles, as well as other people from the Leesburg community.

The rodeo was designed to teach children the skills they need in order to be better and safer cyclists. Participants had their bicycles inspected, helmets fitted, and then went through a series of stations, each designed to teach an important aspect of cycling. When the children completed the stations, they were treated to cookies and drinks and received a completion certificate.

The Lions Club would also like to thank the following businesses for their support of the event: Batter Up Bakery, Mason Company, WalMart, Leesburg Flea Market. Also, thanks go to the Fairfield Elementary School for the use of the parking lot.