On Thursday, May 31, 2012, the Ogema School Community Council sponsored a ‘Bike Rodeo’ for the younger students, K to Grade 6, of Ogema School. Constable Steve Curin of the RCMP Bengough Detachment instructed the students on the rules and regulations of riding a bicycle; the signals that they need to know when riding and a number of safety concerns. The students were eager to learn and to answer questions that Constable Curin asked.
After receiving this information the students followed their teachers and helpers out of the classroom to their bikes that were located on the front lawn of the school grounds. The helmets were placed on their heads and the smaller students were given assistance by helpers who either rode a bike or walked with the students to the Ogema Regional Park.
All bicyclists then fell in line behind the RCMP Patrol car and started their journey to the Ogema Regional Park complex. At each corner, Constable Curin gave the instructions and the students all obeyed. The sight coming down Ogema’s Main Street was a sight to behold, all these students keeping up with the patrol car, with the exception of a few small students who were able to catch up when the group stopped at the Ogema Cenotaph. As an observer, it was amazing to watch the motor vehicles obey all rules and regulations when they spotted the patrol car sitting still at the south end of Main Street.
At the complex, the students were given further instructions regarding the rodeo. Gerry Mazer, Gordon Stewart and Bob Dunn were on hand to inspect the bikes and make sure all were in good condition for the rodeo. Constable Curin then put the small groups through an obstacle course. At the end of the rodeo, each student was presented with a certificate and a report card.
The OSCC donated a bike which was won by Brayden Paczy; a bicycle donated by the Ogema Co-op was won by Gabriel Simon; helmets donated by the OSCC were won by Clinton Seba, Josie Moon and Crizel Frederico. The Saskatchewan Safety Council who supplied all the material and information for the Bike Rodeo donated three bicycle bells which were won by Ashley Redekop, Brayden Ford and Tyrese Wesaquate.
The Ogema School Community Council served the 68 students lunch before the all got on their bikes and rode back to the school for classes.
