“First Ride,” a free class designed to help kids ditch the training wheels and learn how to ride their two-wheel bicycles safely, will be held Saturday, June 16 from Noon -3 p.m. on the west playground of Atwater Elementary School ( 2100 East Capitol Drive, Shorewood). This second annual event is presented by the Shorewood Business Improvement District (BID) with support from the Shorewood Police Department, Rainbow Jersey Bicycles and PNC Bank.
This unique class is specially designed to help kids 10 and younger learn to balance and feel comfortable without the training wheels. It’s based on an innovative “balancing first” method that involves removing the bike pedals and lowering the seat during practice. Parents find it provides them with an easier teaching method – one that helps eliminate skinned knees and frayed nerves from what can be a frustrating learning process. Rainbow Jersey staff and Shorewood police officers will be on hand to lead the training session.
First-time Bike Trailer Users
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For parents considering using a bike trailer to transport younger children, First Ride is offering trial rides as well as safety tips this year. Members of the Greater Shorewood Bikers, along with Shorewood police, can help parents take their own “First Ride” to get a feel for riding with a trailer, and also learn about safety and rules of the road.
Pre-registration for First Ride is required, at the BID’s website, www.shorewoodwi.com. Deadline for pre-registration is June 11; class size is limited so early registration is encouraged.
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The class leads into the 9th Annual Shorewood’s Criterium Cycling Classic, set for Thursday, June 21 beginning at 5 p.m. Shorewood kicks off the 11-race series known as the Tour of America’s Dairyland, featuring international professional and amateur cyclists competing in cities throughout Wisconsin from June 21-July 1. Those kids who participate in the First Ride class will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to lead the Kids’ Roll, a special kids’ ride which kicks off the Criterium on June 21.
“The sense of achievement and pride these kids have when their training wheels come off is amazing,” said Jerry Pearce, owner of Rainbow Jersey Bicycles. “We are so pleased to join with Shorewood BID to help parents and kids make this special time more enjoyable and stress-free.”.
The Shorewood Business Improvement District was established by commercial property owners and the Village of Shorewood in 1999 to promote the neighborhood as a premier destination for retail and service businesses to locate and thrive. Shorewood is also the first Village in Wisconsin to receive the designation of “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists.
Rainbow Jersey Bicycles is a locally-owned Shorewood bike shop that has been in business in the North Shore since 1973.
