​COPYRIGHT 2026 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.



The Brief

La Crosse held a city-wide bike rodeo Thursday at Myrick Park, teaching elementary-aged children essential biking skills including maneuvering, yielding, stopping, and looking both ways.

The event ran from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and included complimentary bike checks, helmet fittings, helmet decorating, and bike registration through the police department.

The rodeo supports the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which emphasizes educating young riders about safe cycling practices.

LA CROSSE Wis. (WKBT) — La Crosse hosted a city-wide bike rodeo Thursday afternoon at Myrick Park, bringing together elementary-aged children to learn essential cycling skills in a fun, interactive environment.

The event, which ran from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., featured an obstacle course designed to teach kids how to start and stop, maintain balance, and navigate safely on city streets. Volunteers guided participants through the course, helping them practice the fundamental skills needed to ride bikes confidently and safely around La Crosse.

“Today we’re having what’s referred to as a bike rodeo, and it’s a way for kids to learn about bicycle skills, and learn how to ride, and learn the technicalities of riding a bike,” said Jenna Dinkel, associate planner for the City of La Crosse. “This event helps kids learn about starting and stopping, some balance skills on the bike, and making sure that they’re looking both ways.”

The bike rodeo aligns with the city’s broader commitment to cycling safety and education. The City of La Crosse has incorporated bicycle and pedestrian education into its master plan for the community.

“Part of our Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for the city talks about education for bike riding, and one of those ways is making sure that our kids are educated while they’re riding their bikes around the city,” Dinkel said.

Beyond the skills course, Thursday’s event offered several additional services to support young cyclists. The city provided complimentary bike checks to ensure bicycles were in safe working condition. Helmet fittings were available for children who needed them, and the city supplied helmets for kids without their own.

Helmet decorating added a creative element to the event, allowing children to personalize their safety gear while learning about its importance. Local organizations including the Nature Place and the Library set up information tables, giving families an opportunity to learn about community resources and programs.

One of the most important services offered was bike registration through the La Crosse Police Department. This program helps reunite children with their bicycles if they are lost or stolen.

“Bike registration is through our police department, and it’s important because it makes sure that people, if they do lose their bike, they’re able to find their bikes, and it’s really just a mechanism that we can try to get lost or stolen bikes back to people in the case that does happen,” Dinkel said.

​COPYRIGHT 2026 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.