Bike rodeo to teach basic bike safety

SAN BENITO — Are you up to date on state bicycle laws?

The Harlingen-San Benito Metropolitan Planning Organization is teaming up with the San Benito Police Department to provide information on bike safety and host the first-ever family bike ride.

Information on Texas bike laws and how to safely travel on a bicycle in town will all be provided during the first bike rodeo.

The free family-friendly event will begin with an information session and end with a three-mile family bike ride escorted by the San Benito Police Department.

Executive director for the MPO Joel Garza said all ages are invited to participate in the event.

“We’re trying to reduce people getting hit while walking or cycling,” Garza said.

Garza said the MPO received a grant from state planning and research for a bicycle and safety educational program.

“We’re going to teach the kids how to use their bikes correctly,” Garza said.

In Texas, bicycles are considered vehicles and are held to state laws when out on the streets.

Participants will be given free safety lights and learn how to maneuver between bike ways and properly use hand signals to communicate with other vehicles.

While the organization has held similar events in Harlingen, this will be the first bike rodeo in San Benito.

“We hope to continue and have more of these events throughout the area,” Garza said.

Garza said similar events usually attract around 300 residents and he expects the same for the upcoming event.

After the information session there will be a police-escorted bike ride followed by a raffle where participants can win free bicycles and safety lights.