Bike Rodeo Part of Bernardsville's Safety Program

Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine has announced that the Bernardsville police will once again conduct the annual summer BIKE SMART safety initiative, with the program's Bike Rodeo scheduled for Friday at the Bernardsville pool.

The BIKE SMART program was specifically designed by the borough police to educate the public and to address concerns about bicycle safety for borough residents. “The BIKE SMART program has been effective in delivering important safety information to our community for the past four years," Valentine said. "It is our intention to facilitate positive interaction between police and community members in order to get the message out again this year."

This will be the fifth year in a row that the Bernardsville Police Department has conducted this program in partnership with the Bernards Lions Club. This year, the Somerset Hills Municipal Alliance has joined in supporting the police department for the program, as well as of Basking Ridge.

Police will focus on reinforcing the safe operation of bicycles, helmet compliance and bicycle maintenance. The Department will be utilizing a rewards program with support from the Bernards Lion’s Club, Friendly Ice Cream and other local businesses.

The reward certificates will be issued throughout July and August to children who are observed by police to be demonstrating safe bicycling practices. The rewards program will continue as long as a supply of rewards is available.

Bike Rodeo on Friday

As part of the Bike Smart Program, the borough's police department and Recreation Department will jointly sponsor a bicycle safety rodeo on Friday between at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Bernardsville Municipal Pool, near the Bedwell Elementary School off Seney Drive.

Bicycle safety inspections, instruction and skills practice will be available. The program will be offered to campers enrolled in the summer recreation program as well as any local youth, primarily borough residents, who want to participate. The police department asks that anyone not already enrolled in the summer camp who wishes to participate please pre-register by calling the police department at 766-0037 or by signing up at the borough pool. There are no fees required, but pre-registration will help to plan for the event. 

The rodeo will be conducted on the paved surface by the basketball area, adjacent to the pool off Seney Drive.