Thompson Falls event gets kids ready for summer biking

No one would likely have anything bad to say about a government-hosted event that actually benefits children in a really good way.

And just such an event was held Saturday in Thompson Falls at Ainsworth Park as the Sanders County Public Health Department put on a free bicycle safety program for kids from throughout the area.

The four-hour event, which began at 10 a.m., had already attracted dozens of young bike riders, parents and families barely an hour after it began. The program provided free bicycle mechanical inspections, helmets for those who had none, and a variety of riding skills test in what event organizer Debbie Lang, SCPH Director, said was the “maiden voyage of the event” which will hopefully become an annual happening.

“It’s the first time we’ve tried this kind of event and we are hoping the rain holds off,” Lang said in reference to the large number of heavy rainstorms that have passed through the area in recent weeks.

Hold off it did, no doubt bolstering turnout numbers. Lang said she and two other employees of the health department put the event together and were aided by the generosity of local businesses and residents.

Sponsors were Clark Fork Valley Hospital and Safe Kids Montana.

Crews from Thompson Falls ambulance also provided substantial volunteer assistance, as did several others from throughout the community.

Thompson Falls repairman Tim Hoyt was among those who donated his time and mechanical repair expertise to the event by conducting comprehensive bicycle inspections and safety checks to make sure the kids’ bikes were in good riding condition.

“My wife is involved in this and she wanted me to come over and help out,” he said. “It seemed like a good thing to do”.

Those sentiments were echoed by T-Falls-area Pastor Jeff Hessinger, who helped adjust and fit helmets to those who showed up without one. The head coverings were required of all participants before they could complete the eight station course which circled the interior of Ainsworth Park.

“It’s a good thing to help out with,” Hessinger said as he adjusted a helmet for 13-year-old T Falls student McKinzie Burch. “This kind of community event is a really good thing for this town and this county”.

After being fitted for a helmet or making sure they had one, the young cyclists took a simple written test to evaluate their knowledge of safety and safety rules of the road for cyclists.

From there it was on to the safety inspection, then to the first stop along the paved pathway that circles the perimeter of the park where a series of cones tested the riders’ abilities to control their bikes as they wove between the orange markers.

Next up was a test of their balance and control skills. At that stop, the riders, other than the very young ones, were directed to ride by a barrel, pick a bean bag off the top, then ride to another barrel about 20 feet away and deposit the bag there without stopping or swerving or being forced to dismount.

Most passed all the tests with flying colors.

Lisa Richmond, one of the three Health Department employees who helped put the program together, had high praise for the turnout and community support. Richmond guided cyclists through the bean bag obstacle.

“This tests their balance and coordination skills,” Richmond said. “It is an event we are hoping will get people out and about and give them something good to do. There were a lot of donations involved in putting this event together. It’s really good to see this kind of support”.

From all initial indications, the Bike Safety program was a hit with those who came to check it out.