Old Tappan Police Bike Rodeo Delights Youngsters

OLD TAPPAN, N.J. -- Children of all ages learned about bicycle safety and gained confidence executing different maneuvers during a bike rodeo held Saturday by Old Tappan police.

Old Tappan police, Old Tappan bike rodeo, Cyclesport,
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Old Tappan PD*

Cyclesport of Park Ridge sent a bike technician.
Photo Credit: *Jerry DeMarco*

The event was held between the T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School and Charles DeWolf Middle School.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Old Tappan PD*

High School students from Northern Valley Old Tappan assisted.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Old Tappan PD*

It was the first time in several years that the police department sponsored the event.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Old Tappan PD*

Children of all ages participated.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Old Tappan PD*

"We hope to hold it again in the future."
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Old Tappan PD*

Jerry DeMarco

06/05/2016 6:19 a.m.

The youngsters rode their bikes through five obstacles requiring different skills between the T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School and Charles DeWolf Middle School.

One boy "needed the confidence to do it on his own -- and by the end of the rodeo he was," Officer Katie Weaver said. "We also had several kids who just had their training wheels taken off their bikes within the last week flourish and take off.

"One told me that he now loves his bike and wants to ride it ever day."

Cyclesport of Park Ridge supplied a bike technician to help inspect the rides to make sure they were mechanically sound and road ready.

Students from Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan assisted.

It was the first time in several years that the police department sponsored the event.

"We hope to hold it again in the future," Weaver told Daily Voice.

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