Working on Cycling Merit Badge? Consider a Troop activity this fall!

Looking for a great activity for your Troop to meet outside this fall? Consider a Bike Rodeo as an option to bring the Troop together for a fun group activity that can be done outside while maintaining social distancing.

• This can make a great Troop meeting and a great Joining Activity for prospective Scouts / opportunity to bring Webelos to a fun Troop meeting!
• Partnering with your local police department to present / help with bike safety and stations is a great way to involve the community in this event
• Consider inviting your local bike shop to participate and potentially staff stations. Many are open to supporting a program that helps kids enjoy biking.

Always be sure to work with the Merit Badge counselor for the Cycling Merit Badge on the program and approvals, as be sure that all Scouts have the approval to begin the merit badge.

Have you consider partnering with a Pack who is hosting a Bike Rodeo? A great opportunity to make those connections for Webelos and AOL who will be transitioning to Scouts BSA in a couple of years

Sample Schedule, using Socially Distant / Mask Guidelines from Northern Star Scouting. Limit of 25 individuals at any given station. Stations are separated by a minimum of 20 feet. Dens rotate to each station as a group (no intermixing).

1.) Riding Safety

• Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in cycling activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards
• Describe how to brake safely with foot brakes and with hand brakes
• Explain the importance of wearing a properly sized and fitted helmet while cycling, and of wearing the right clothing for the weather. Know the BSA Bike Safety Guidelines

2.) Bicycle Safety  Show your bicycle to your counselor for inspection. Point out the adjustments or repairs you have made.

Do the following:
a. Show all points that need regular lubrication.
b. Show points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
c. Show how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering tube.

Check out this Bicycle Safety Checklist as a reference

3.) First Aid  Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling, including cuts, scratches, blisters, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, and snakebite. Explain to your counselor why you should be able to identify the poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area

4.) Repairing a Tire  Show how to repair a flat by removing the tire, replacing or patching the tube, and remounting the tire.

5.) Traffic Laws Describe your state and local traffic laws for bicycles. Compare them with motor-vehicle laws.

6.) Road Test   Complete your Road Test (or setup the road test for Mountain Biking)

(1) Properly mount, pedal, and brake, including emergency stops.
(2) On an urban street with light traffic, properly execute a left turn from the center of the street; also demonstrate
an alternate left-turn technique used during periods of heavy traffic.
(3) Properly execute a right turn.
(4) Demonstrate appropriate actions at a right-turn-only lane when you are continuing straight.
(5) Show proper curbside and road-edge riding. Show how to ride safely along a row of parked cars.
(6) Cross railroad tracks properly

Work with your Merit Badge Counselor to complete your series of progressively longer bike rides