Church treats community to bike rodeo fun day

  Several kids slowly made their way through the cone obstacle course during the bike rodeo event at Faith Lutheran Church on Saturday. Some kids fell down but got back up, that's how they learn.
 
 Yuma Police Officer Philip Earle said a cone obstacle course was set up so children can learn how to maneuver their way around and learn how to balance themselves. Children under the ages of 12 were taught how to perfectly adjust their helmet and how to use hand signals when riding a bike.

  "A lot of kids don't know that they're suppose to stop at the stop signs as they're riding their bicycle," Earle said. "We also want to keep reinforcing the helmet law."

  Edward Quintero, not a member of Faith Lutheran Church, said he took his two children to the bike rodeo to make sure they understand bike safety and to avoid riding on the streets.

  "I think it's too dangerous because sometimes cars may drive by too fast where we live," Quintero said.

  In addition to the bike rodeo, there were free snow-cones and popcorn, games such as wahshoes, pingpong and hoops, face painting and craft projects.

 Anthony Gonzalez, 23, also not a member of the church, said he took his two little sisters out the event because his mother told him to. His two sisters were playing wahshoes.

  "It's something to do instead of staying out on Saturday morning doing nothing all day," Gonzalez said.

  Connie Whitener, co-organizer of the bike rodeo, said the event was a way to invite members of the community to simply take part in having fun.

  "It doesn't mean they have to join our church," Whitener said. "It's just to get the community involved so that they have a really good time."

  Other sponsors were Quail Barricades and Thrivent Financial.

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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumsun.com or 539-6847.