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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesBicycle Rodeos Set for Saturday

Bicycle Rodeos Set for Saturday

With the Motor Vehicle Bureau stepping up enforcement of bicycle registration and use laws long on the books, St. John’s Community Integration Team (CIT) will hold a Bicycle Rodeo Saturday.

The event will run Saturday morning from 9 to noon at the Coral Bay Ballfield and then from 1 to 4 p.m. at the ballfield adjacent to the V.I. National Park Visitors Center.

Participants will learn about bicycle safety, have their bicycles inspected and have a chance to register their bicycles with the Motor Vehicle Bureau. To further improve bicycle safety, youths who have their bicycles inspected and learn the ropes about bicycle safety and maintenance will receive a complimentary bicycle helmet courtesy of the St. John Accommodations Council.

Children in both the Cruz Bay and Coral Bay sides of St. John are riding recklessly, said CIT Program Director Linda Beckstein.

“We received reports of kids riding their bicycles on the roads and racing cars,” Beckstein said.

She hopes that parents will attend with their children so they’ll also get the information on bicycle safety, Beckstein said.

Participants should bring their bicycles equipped with brakes, pedals and other important parts.

According to Myrna George, assistant director at Motor Vehicle, it’s a matter of enforcement. However, she said that it’s up to the Police Department to keep tabs on reckless bicycle riders.

“This is step one,” she said, referring to registration.

George did not call back with information on how much it costs to register a bicycle.

She said bicycle registration will help identify the owner when bicycles are stolen or in case of an accident. Additionally, Motor Vehicle will know the number of bicycles across the territory. No such statistics currently exist, and George said she didn’t have any guess on the number ridden on St. John.

She said said similar events are planned by community organizations on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

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