Children learn safety, have fun at Cranberry Township’s annual bike rodeo
CRANBERRY TWP — The Tour de France jersey that 6-year-old Aubrey Zelmore wore Saturday, Aug. 2, to the annual Cranberry Township Police Department Bike Rodeo might be a sign that she is following in her father footsteps.
“I’m an avid cyclist. I ride everyday,” said her father, Robert Zelmore, of Renfrew. “I think it rubbed off on my daughter.”
His daughter was among 25 or 30 children who came to the rodeo at the township municipal center where police taught them to safely balance and maneuver their bikes, as well as use hand signals and the bakes. They also had their helmets checked for proper fit.
“I think it’s great for the kids,” said Aubrey’s mother, Casey Zelmore.
Robert Zelmore said he has ridden his bike on every road in Penn Township and rides all over the county. He said he used to weigh 400 pounds and rides for exercise.
Bhumika Lakkad, of Cranberry Township, brought her 2-year-old son, Mishiv Lakkad, to the rodeo to learn and have fun.
She said he loves activities with other children, especially bike riding.
“He’s always on his bike. He loves the bike,” she said. “He’s a people person.”
William Ahlgren, a lieutenant with the township police department and one of the officers who patrols on a bicycle, leads the rodeo and also is among the instructors.
He said instructors use the course set up in the parking rodeo to teach safe riding and help build children’s confidence. A young girl who attended last year’s rodeo with training wheels on her bike came back this year without them.
“It gives them confidence in controlling their bikes if they have to avoid something,” Ahlgren said.
The all-female Scout Troop 6405 helped set up the course. Two prizes donated by sponsors were raffled off to children who participated after the rodeo.
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Chase Wilcher practices stopping at a stop sign as riders drive through obstacle courses during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A cyclist drives through an obstacle course during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Maxton Wilcher drives through an obstacle course during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Aubrey Zelmore races through the obstacle course during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mishiv Lakkad, left, is guided by Genevieve Citrone through the obstacle course during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hazel Cox, middle gets her helmet checked as riders drive through obstacle courses during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Aubrey Zelmore, left, races her mom Casey Zelmore in her wheelchair through the obstacle course during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Brian Shuttleworth, bike mechanic, pumps air into Luca Beal’s tires as Luca holds the bike during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Brantley Mannas pats his grandpa William Ahlgren’s helmet as riders drive through obstacle courses during a bicycle rodeo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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