Tuscarora kids kick off summer biking season

Students at the Tuscarora Indian School kicked off the summer biking season this month with their 10th annual Bike Rodeo. The event is co-sponsored by the Niagara County Traffic and Safety Department, Tuscarora K-Kids and the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston. Members of the K-Kids Club and other student volunteers put the riders through a five-phase rodeo circuit meant to assess the skills of each rider. Students were given a report, which graded their skills and informed them about techniques which might be improved upon, to enable them to be safer operators on the road.

 "This event would not be possible without the cooperation of our principal, Ms. Carr, and all the teachers and staff of Tuscarora School," stated Paul Beatty who organizes the event each year. "I would also like to thank Mrs. Grace Destino from the Niagara County Sheriff's Traffic & Safety Department for assisting with the event and inspecting rider's helmets, bikes and accessories for proper fit and safety."

Beatty added, "We are very fortunate to have the support of so many local businesses and community members who donate bikes, helmets, and other prizes that are given away at our closing assembly following the rodeo each year."

This year alone, 19 students who didn't have a bike of their own were given a brand-new one to take home and more than 140 have been given away since the start of this safety program 10 years ago. What a great way to herald the start of a safe biking season.