Bike Rodeo Planning Guide

Station 9: Balance/Quick Stop

Purpose
Balance and control of the bicycle are important skills that are acquired early. Yet they can cause serious problems if the rider does not learn proper control and balance in a variety of traffic situations requiring quick thinking and action. In earlier rodeos, the "figure 8" most closely represented this road skill. Be sure to explain to participants the transfer of this activity to street riding.

Objectives
1. To maintain proper control of the bicycle while maneuvering it around a circle and through cones.
2. To be able to stop the bicycle safely within a prescribed distance and speed.

Method
Have the students enter the orbit, circling it once or twice. They should stay within the boundaries, maintain control of the bike and keep hands and feet on bars and pedals. After they finish with the circle, they should exit and weave through the cones, again maintaining proper control and balance. The distance of straight line to the stop box should be long enough for the rider to gain speed and then quickly stop.

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Equipment Needed
• Sample Bike Rodeo Course PDF You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this page.
• Bicycle Inspection Checklist
• Bicycle Skills Test You may need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this page.
• Station 1: Introduction/Inspection
• Station 2: Moving in Space
• Station 3: Security, Parking and Licenses
• Station 4: Driveway Ride-Out and Roadway Entry
• Station 5: Controlled Intersection
• Station 6: Scanning to the Rear
• Station 7: Object in Roadway
• Station 8: Blind Driveway Approach/Yield Signs and Hand Signals
• Bike Rodeo Home
• How to Promote Helmet Use

Related Sites

• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
• League of American Bicyclists