The Rotary Club of Rochester Southwest was proud to host a free Bike Rodeo for kids during the recent Reimagining Bohrer Alley event organized by Hinge Neighbors, a neighborhood organization dedicated to strengthening community connections and improving the neighborhood.
Before the event even began, Rotary volunteers rolled up their sleeves to make a lasting impact on the space itself. Club members spent time picking up glass, litter, and debris from the parking lot to help create a safe environment for children and families. They then transformed the area into a bike skills course complete with cones, obstacles, and riding challenges designed to teach safe bicycling habits while making learning fun.
Club members Lisa Norwood, Marv Knoeck, Donna Sarnacki and Karen Lankeshofer staffed the Bike Rodeo, helping children navigate the course, fitting helmets, encouraging nervous riders, and celebrating each success along the way. Throughout the morning, children practiced steering, stopping, maneuvering around obstacles, and building confidence on two wheels. For those who did not have bicycles of their own, loaner bikes were available so that every child had the opportunity to participate.
Thanks to the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, participants received free bicycle helmets and reflective wristbands. In all, 16 helmets were distributed to local children, helping ensure they can continue riding safely long after the event ended. Each child who completed the course earned a certificate recognizing their accomplishment. The smiles on their faces made it clear that the event was about much more than riding bicycles—it was about confidence, achievement, and creating positive memories.
Rotary International's theme for 2026-27, "Create Lasting Impact," reminds us that meaningful service is often found in small moments that strengthen our communities. By helping children develop safe cycling habits, providing safety equipment, and creating a welcoming space for families, this Bike Rodeo delivered benefits that will extend well beyond a single afternoon. Every child who rides more safely, every family that feels more connected to the neighborhood, and every young person who gains confidence represents the kind of lasting impact Rotary strives to create.
We are grateful to the organizers of Reimagining Bohrer Alley, the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, and all of the volunteers who helped make this event a success. We look forward to continuing to support projects that build healthier, safer, and more connected communities throughout Rochester.
Service Above Self in action—one child, one bicycle, and one lasting impact at a time.
