Rodeo teaches bicycle safety Published Dec. 5, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- The 71st Flying Training Wing safety office gathered the fire department and security forces for a bicycle safety rodeo Oct. 13 in the exchange parking lot. The event featured the Vance Fire Department's smokehouse, 71st Security Forces Squadron bicycle inspections and safety briefings, bicycle courses, an Army National Guard rocket launcher display and giveaways. "We try to make this an annual event," said Randy Hakman, ground safety manager. "It teaches children how to ride their bike safely in traffic. Two 71st SFS bicycle patrolmen gave children bike inspections and safety briefings, including showing them the proper hand signals for turning. We also set up courses for them to ride their bikes through so we could see how they handled situations such as mounting, dismounting, stopping, starting, weaving and maneuvering." The 71st Communications Squadron assisted safety with this year's event. "The squadron really helped out, getting the Enid Bicycle Shop to donate a skateboard and water bottles and the rocket launcher for display from the ANG," Mr. Hakman said. Lt. Col. Neil Woods, 71st FTW chief of safety, also procured two bicycles from Wal-Mart. The children enjoy the activities as they're learning. "I'm having fun," said 11-year-old Thomas Smith, son of Margaret and Lt. Col. Dan Smith, 71st Flying Training Wing aircraft maintenance. "I learned I'm supposed to keep my eyes on where I'm going and not on the ground." The bottom line for safety is to ensure children are safe on the road. "The event was successful, but if it's able to save even one life, then we know we've accomplished what we set out to achieve," Mr. Hakman said.