The Missouri Active Outdoors Foundation and Elmwood Cemetery are inviting families to join them for the first annual Elmwood Bike Rodeo, this coming Saturday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the cemetery, 4900 Truman Rd.

The event will focus on promotes bicycle safety and education for children and families. The rodeo offers a variety of activities such as bike inspections, helmet fittings, and obstacle courses designed to teach kids how to properly handle and maintain their bicycles. There are also speakers on bike laws and safe riding practices.

The goal of the Elmwood Bike Rodeo is to promote cycling as a fun and healthy mode of transportation while also educating participants on how to ride safely and offering them a chance to learn about, and connect with, community organizations and services.

The Missouri Active Outdoors Foundation, most commonly known as MoBikeFed, is a non-profit advocacy organization focused on introducing the joys of outdoor activity as a means of creating healthy families and engaged communities in our state. MoBikeFed has advocated for years to improve the walkability of both urban and rural communities while simultaneously assisting in the implementation of complete street plans, trail creation, bicycling education in schools and active transportation legislation in Missouri. 

To kick off National Bike Month, MoBikeFed has teamed up with the historic Elmwood Cemetery and Revolve KC to give away 150 bikes and helmets to children ages 6-12.

Held at the historic Elmwood Cemetery, the gently curving roadways make for the perfect route for young and old, alike. Bring the whole family and enjoy a scenic ride on a closed, paved road with no vehicle traffic.

Elmwood stands as one of the oldest cemeteries in Kansas City and has made it a mission of theirs to create a well cultivated green space for its community. Children and families attending the event will have the opportunity to visit a variety of vendor booths focused on health, wellness, interactive learning, and children’s recreation. The first 150 children ages 6-12 will be personally fit for their new bike and helmet, introduced to bicycling safety, and led on a closed-circuit bike ride in Elmwood. 

Attendees are also encouraged to participate in educational activities and health screenings provided by our vendor partners. Vendors include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mattie Rhodes Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Aim4Peace, KC Scholars Bike Law, KCMO Public Libraries, University Health Mobile Market (distributing 100 bags of free groceries), Lakeside Nature Center, & KC Scholars. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring your own bike and participate in any number of bike safety classes; or show your creative side at one of our fully stocked bike-decorating stations.

A free picnic lunch is provided to all who attend. Wonderscope, The Kansas City Zoo, and Union Station Planetarium & Science City have all generously provided season passes to be given away at the event.

Visit https://elmwoodbikerodeo.org/ for more info and to see what vendors will be at the event.