Cornell Cooperative Extension
of Cortland County

4-H More Than You Imagined

Cortland Walks and Wheels
Bicycle Safety Program


Cortland Walks and Wheels is a program designed to teach safety education for bicyclists, pedestrians, and wheeled sports enthusiasts such as rollerbladers and skateboardists.

Our educator does demonstrations at schools all throughout Cortland County, instructing on bicycle and helmet safety to grades K-12. The presentations are age appropriate for these specific groups.

We participate in health and wellness fairs throughout Cortland County - both in schools and in the community.

We present pedestrian and bicycle safety program at Senior Centers throughout Cortland County.

We present bicycle and pedestrian safety programs at the annual Vehicle Safari - a program for all thrid grade children in the county.


Our Bicycle Safety Program also works with town and village recreation programs to coordinate several bicycle rodeos each year and our annual Ghost Town Family Bicycle ride each fall at Dwyer Memorial Park in Little York. This year's Bike Rodeo schedule is as follows:


2006 Bike Rodeo Schedule
Date/Time Location Contact Information

April 29th

Yaman Park, Cortland

 CCE Cortland
607) 753-5077

Bike Rodeos are a series of events or challenges, which provide an opporunity for bicyclists to practice and develop skills they need to ride safely and avoid typical bicycle accidents. The goal of a rodeo is to provide an opportunity for participants to learn, practice and demonstrate their bicycle handling skills in a fun, non-competitive environment. A typical rodeo course includes several stations that simulate riding on the road and encountering siutations such as exiting a driveway, road surface hazards, interacting with vehicle traffice and more.

One more component is the "slow race" where participants are challenged to go as slow as they can, without letting their feet touch the ground. This assists in developing good bicycle handling skills. It is more difficult than it sounds - try to ride slow without stopping!

Rodeos stress bicycle safety. All participants are required to wear appropriate helments, pass a safety inspection of their bike, use proper hand signals on the course and follow all rules of the road.

Each station is explained before participants take their turn. Those who successfully complete the station, move on to the next. If they are unsuccessful, they may try the station again. The idea is to practice and improve skills. Upon completion of all stations, certificates are awarded to all participants.

Cornell Cooperative Extenion of Cortland County sponsors and coordinates several bike rodeos each year. A group of dedicated volunteers from many different agencies and organizations helps with the rodeos. Volunteers are needed to work bike rodeos, assist with displays at
community events, and to assist with Ghost Town. If you are interested in being a volunteer for this, or any Cooperative Extension program, please call our office at (607) 753-5077.


Printable Brochures:
Cortland Walks and Wheels
See and Be Seen: A Guide to Pedestrian Safety

The 4-H Bicycle and Traffic Safety program works to promote bicycle, wheeled sport
and pedestrian safety in Cortland County. It is funded by a grant from the
New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.


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