Post Messenger Recorder -

The Belleville Police Department and Belleville Police Association co-hosted its annual bicycle safety rodeo for children Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade on May 19. The event kicked off at 9:00 a.m., where children learned about bike safety. They then mastered a bicycle obstacle course. The children had the opportunity to get their bicycles inspected by Budget Bicycle Center of Madison. The children received a free helmet.

Photo courtesy of Officer Vicki Beiersdorf, Belleville Police Department

Boy winners (L-R):  Brody Smith, Henry Koch, Dawson Smith, Lukas Loshaw (missing from photo).

The Belleville Police Association appreciated the donations from the following businesses: UB&T Bank, Belleville Mini Storage, Christen Brothers, Bank of New Glarus-Sugar River Bank, New Glarus Brewing Company, Anderson Custom Processing, Culver's, Argall Dairy Systems, Corner Café, New Glarus Bakery, Mike O'Connor State Farm Insurance, EyeBall Machine Co., J&M Bar, Chalet Landhaus, Kalscheur Foundation, SMMAK Subs, Angus-Young, and Beloit Snappers. Sugar River Senior Center and Old National Bank donated snacks for the children.

The winners of the bicycles are: Gemma Beiersdorf, Isabelle Rolli, Meara Allen, Chloe Haack, Brody Smith, Henry Koch, Dawson Smith, and Lukas Loshaw. We are extremely proud of Meara Allen and Lukas Loshaw for donating their bikes to others. Great job, kids!

Special acknowledgements go out to all the volunteers that helped to make this event successful. They all went that extra mile for the children. Special thanks to Dick and Linda Miller, Tim Beiersdorf, and Teresa Burchard for setting up the course and event. Other volunteers were: Belleville Police Department, Belleville Fire Department, and Belleville EMS personnel and Donna Christen. Thank you to everyone; we couldn't have done it without all of you. Remember to "Always wear your helmet."