HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20120424_BikeRodeo.docxPRESS RELEASE: CONTACT: Diane Schleicher, City Manager
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (912) 786-4573, x109
Safe Bicycling Rodeo on Tybee Island
Tybee Island, GA – (April 24, 2012) Children and parents will be learning about safe bicycling practices at the Tybee Island Bike Rodeo on Saturday, April 28th. Between 10:00 and 1:00
PM, at Tybee’s Old School at 204 Fifth Street, participants will learn the basics of helmet fitting, go through a bicycle safety check, participate in bicycle games and competitions
for prizes, and take part in a bicycle parade on the island. The bike checks will be performed with the assistance of volunteers as well as staff from Savannah’s Bicycle Link and Perry
Rubber Bike Shop and Tybee Island’s Fat Tire Bikes. At the end of the day, there will be a drawing for a child’s bike provided by the Tybee Island Police Association and Tim’s Beach
Gear.
The Bike Rodeo is co-sponsored by the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, Safe Kids, the Tybee Island Police Department, Tim’s Beach Gear, Fat Tire Bikes, the Tybee Island YMCA, and the City
of Tybee Island. The City of Tybee Island has been working on national recognition as a Bicycle Friendly City, winning the bronze level in 2011. The Police Department and the Department
of Public Works have been cooperating with local cyclists and the American Bicycle League to improve the ridability of bike routes, increase signage to encourage use, improve safety
consciousness of riders and drivers, and work with State and County agencies to improve accessibility to the island for cyclists. Safe bicycling guidelines and a map showing bike routes
are available in an online brochure at www.cityoftybee.org under the Bicycling menu, which is also published by businesses on the island.
Children must have a bike and helmet, and bring a parent /guardian to participate in the rodeo or provide a signed waiver by a parent or guardian, although there will be some helmets
available for those who do not already have one. Parents who wish to participate in the parade should also bring their bicycles and helmets. The bicycle games are designed for grades
one through five, but will be open to all youth.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Fort Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs, and making
sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
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