It was your typical fall weekend in Amarillo. 46 degrees with winds between 25 and 35 mph brought the wind chill factor plummeting after 10 am Saturday morning. Don’t worry, the Scouts didn’t falter. Six dedicated Boy Scouts from Pack 29 arrived to participate in a Bike Rodeo and Safety Workshop held in the parking lot at Highland Park School. I’m sure a chance to win a bike helped.

The program began with Officers Damien Bruhn and Tim Roberts of the Community Oriented Policing Problem-Solving Unit (C.O.P.P.S.) of the Amarillo Police Department. They advised the boys on several issues of concern for bicyclists riding in the Amarillo city limits, and answered all questions put to them.

Local Outreach Coordinators Fernando Martinez and Joyce Cunningham gave a reminder of the traffic hand signals, proper helmet fit, Texas bicycle laws, bicycle safety inspection checklist, and bicycle etiquette before demonstrating the “skills” and “decision making” courses. Now, the boys were eager to test the courses for themselves. After several run-throughs, there was a unanimous decision to end the session due to dropping temperatures and increasing winds.

We offer our congratulations to 11 year old Lethaninel Mitchell. He received the new 24 inch Next bicycle donate by Amarillo Grand Street Wal-Mart. Thank you to  unit for taking time to show their support of these young adventurers. And thank you to Highland Park School for providing the location for yet another successful event.