SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Kids were grinning ear-to-ear as they wore their shiny new silver helmets, carefully wheeling their way through six obstacle courses at the 27th annual City of Yellowknife Municipal Enforcement Bike Rodeo at the Multiplex on June 5.

Avery Hacala, 8, shows bylaw officer Daniel Larocque how to signal a right-hand turn before completing station No. 6, a four-way stop intersection, during Sunday's bike rodeo at the Multiplex. - Heather Lange/NNSL photo

Daryle Foster, supervisory constable with the city's Municipal Enforcement Division, said the rodeo is a series of exercises to educate young bike riders, and the public, about bike safety.

"We do the event to improve bike safety and make people be aware of bikes on the road," said Foster.

Participants had a long wait but it was made bearable by free hot dogs. When the cyclists got inside their bikes were checked over by K&W Cycle for any minor repairs that may need to be made, before they wheeled inside Shorty Brown Arena.

Once inside, the cyclists were questioned by 20 volunteers and municipal enforcement staff on bike safety, and then they navigated through six obstacle courses, racking up points on each - those who earned the top 16 scores each received a brand new bike.

Nathan Cluff had the right answer when Const. Paul Sirman asked him: when on the side of the road which direction does one ride?

"With traffic," said Cluff.

Fifteen additional bikes were raffled off as door prizes, along with a trip for two to Edmonton, donated by First Air, a helicopter ride with Great Slave Helicopters and a float plane ride with Air Tindi.

Foster was pleased with the community support for the event.

"We have a lot of sponsors, the community pulls together for this event," said Foster.

There was 249 kids at the rodeo, which was not as good a turnout as previous years, according to supervisory constable with municipal enforcement, Doug Norrad.

"It was a lower count this year compared to previous years but regardless, still a good turnout," he said.

Norrad said he thought the free bike helmets donated by BHP Billiton to all participants was a great part of the event.

"Helmets are mandatory (at the event) but no one likes to wear a Barney (the dinosaur) helmet," said Norrad.

"This way, they are comfortable wearing a helmet that a lot of their peers are wearing."

Rory McIntosh and mom, Robin Levesconte, moved to Yellowknife in January and it was their first bike rodeo. "It's great, I was impressed with getting a free helmet. It was well organized," said Levesconte.

McIntosh liked the obstacles.

"They were fun," he said.

Jonathan Lantz got his freestyle BMX bike fixed by K&W Cycle employee, Mark Normandin.

"Its awesome getting my brakes fixed. I started out with only the body and the seat. I put it together with other bike parts," said Lantz.

Normandin tightened Lantz's fork bearings and fixed the brakes Lantz had installed himself, saying he was impressed with the boy's handiwork.

Marie Cronk, 7, came to the bike rodeo for the first time.

"I liked going around the pylons," she said.

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