This morning, I joined members of the City of Helotes Police Department and Helotes City Council Member Gregg Michel at Helotes Elementary School for the annual “Bike Rodeo”—a fun tradition that teaches our youngest riders the importance of bicycle safety while building confidence and skills.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade put their riding skills to the test through three challenges: straight-line riding, circle steering and navigating obstacles. Our police officers also inspected each bicycle using a safety checklist and provided lots of encouragement and positive reinforcement as the students worked their way through each challenge.

It was great to see our Helotes police officers out in the community, interacting with students, parents and teachers. These positive connections help build trust between our young people and the officers who serve them.

The Bike Rodeo is especially meaningful to me because I remember participating in it myself when I attended Helotes Elementary School! It was wonderful to see a tradition I remember as a student continuing to make memories for a new generation of Helotians.

A big thank-you to the Helotes Police Department for overseeing this great event and to Helotes Elementary School for continuing this wonderful tradition. I also appreciate the warm welcome from Principal Kasey Krick and Helotes PTA President Maykin Hart.

It was a great morning celebrating our kids, bicycle safety and the traditions that make Helotes such a special community! Go Bulldogs!