Record Number Attend Bike Rodeo; Wright Wins Free Bike

There's no excuse for children not to wear a helmet while riding bikes around Neligh thanks to the annual bike rodeo at the Neligh Public Library. More than 100 people, including 80 children, attended the event Friday morning.

The Neligh Young Men's Club, Midwest Medical Transport, Neligh Police Department, Antelope County Sheriff's Department and Nebraska State Patrol fitted helmets at the event, making sure every child attending was either wearing a helmet or received a free helmet. About 50 helmets were distributed.

The helmets were provided through donations and grants received by the Neligh Young Men's Club. Those wanting to donate to the bike fund can do so through the club, which is tax deductible. 

For the third year, a bike was given away at the event as well. Neligh Library Director Jennifer Norton drew Dylan Wright's name, and he will receive a bike as a reward for wearing a helmet. 

To be included in the drawing, children simply had to be seen wearing their helmets by a member of the NYMC or the Neligh Police. They receive ice cream tokens when spotted by the appropriate officials. 

"Token Tuesdays" was implemented several years ago by the NYMC and the Neligh Police Department as a way to encourage wearing helmets.

The bike rodeo also included a safety presentation and an obstacle course giving the children an opportunity to test their skills. 

Neligh-Oakdale seventh-grader Kenzi Tschirren once again spoke to the children about the importance of wearing a helmet. Tschirren was critically injured in a fall in 20011 while riding her bike and not wearing a helmet.

Midwest Medical Transport also provided tours of their ambulance, and Tschirren talked to the children about being transported to Omaha via the ambulance and reiterated the dangers of not wearing a helmet while riding a bike.