Lincoln Elementary Bike Rodeo

Campus Cycles Brings Free Maintenance and Safety Skills to Local Youth at Bike Rodeo DENVER, CO (February 23, 2026) This spring, Campus Cycles and Lincoln Elementary are collaborating to educate local youth about bicycle safety at the May 13 Lincoln Elementary Bike Rodeo. Expected to draw hundreds, the free community event provides free bicycle safety checks and a hands-on opportunity for youth to learn and practice bicycle safety skills. Held from 3 to 6 PM at the elementary school grounds in Denver’s West Wash Park neighborhood, the bike rodeo is a community celebration of bikes. Featuring an obstacle course, slow bike race, rules of the road clinic, bike repair station, and guided family ride throughout the neighborhood, the bike rodeo teaches a variety of safety skills in a fun and familiar setting. Food trucks, a helmet art station, music, raffle, and a six-block bike parade complete with police escort add to the festive environment. “Our number one goal is to encourage people to get out on their bike more, not only for recreation but also for transportation,” said Lincoln Elementary Bike Rodeo organizer Kate Kopelove. New this year is a “hay ride” on e-cargo bikes, meant to familiarize families with practical workhorse bikes designed to carry passengers or heavy loads with ease. Collaborator Campus Cycles remains a cornerstone of the event. The staff perform safety checks and provide maintenance services free of charge- a gesture welcomed by those who cannot afford to get their bike in working condition. “We like to do events like this to show our gratitude for the support the community has given us. It also ensures we are meeting their cycling needs while also serving as a local resource,” said Campus Cycles co-owner Mark Velat. Hosting a safety-focused bike rodeo is a practical way to address the dramatic decrease in the number of youth who walk or bike to school. According to Safe Routes to School (SRTS), in 1969, nearly half of school-aged youth biked or walked to school. Today, nearly 90 percent are driven to school by car or bus. The bike rodeo serves to educate youth and their families about bike safety. It also extols the environmental and physical benefits of commuting by bike while advocating the need for bike-friendly infrastructure. “The memories made at the bike rodeo help encourage everyone to change their habit of driving and think about how much more fun it is to use active transportation,” said Kopelove. The Lincoln Elementary Bike Rodeo is a free community event. Those interested in volunteering can contact Kopelove at kskopelove@gmail.com.