On July 16 to 18, 2006, Education Director Robin Hendershot and Education Assistant Allison Seale attended the 2006 Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) summer conference in central Texas at the Waco Convention Center. With 500 educators in attendance, Texas Bicycle Coalition staff was able to meet and greet representatives from almost 200 independent school districts and colleges.

On June 24, 2006, Education Program Manager Robin Hendershot and Education Administrative Assistant Allison Seale traveled to Texas State University in San Marcos to hold a one-day Bicycle Rodeo for a Texas State children’s fitness camp with children ranging in ages 6 to 13. As part of the week-long camp, the kids learned the Seven Texas Bike Laws and other bicycle safety lessons from the Texas SuperCyclist Program in order to prepare for the Bicycle Rodeo. Proper arm signals to indicate stopping, turning left and right and the parts of a bicycle were among some of the important lessons that the children reviewed before the event.

1. Always wear a helmet. Don’t let the Texas summer heat tempt you to ride without full protection for your brain! Consider investing in a helmet with extra vents for air flow and cooling properties. Learn more about proper helmet fit.

2. Drink before you’re thirsty! Dehydration is a leading cause of heat exhaustion. Keep hydrated to reduce your risk and improve your performance.

3. Always do an ABCD Quick Check before you ride. Checking the air pressure, tire condition, brakes, crank, chain and quick releases before your ride will reduce the likelihood of getting stuck on the side of the road with a mechanical problem. Nobody wants to fix a flat in the middle of nowhere with the Texas sun beating down on their neck. View the bicycle inspection checklist.

4. But just in case, learn how to fix a flat if you don’t already know how!

5. Go with the flow! Ride in the same direction with traffic and follow the other Texas Bicycle Laws.

6. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sizzling summer rays.

7. When riding on trails, follow the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Rules of the Trail: leave no trace; always yield to pedestrians, horses and slower moving traffic; and never scare animals. For more information on the Rules of the Trail, visit the IMBA website.

On Sunday, May 14, 2006, Texas Bicycle Coalition teamed up with Bike Barn of Houston and the Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association (GHORBA) to hold a Kids Kup race at the Houston Grand Criterium in Sam Houston Park.