Gurnee bike rodeo tests skills, safety

The parking lot at Fire Station #1 in Gurnee was turned into a bicycle obstacle course Friday.

Kids made their way through various stations that tested their riding skills and helped to teach bicycle safety.

"Every year, we do two days of the bike rodeo -- one on Thursday and one on Friday," Gurnee Police Officer Jim Lazaro said. "We do it to promote bike safety."

Gurnee officers also were on hand to give kids a bike tuneup, adjusting seats and tightening bolts to make their bikes safer.

The annual bike rodeo is put on by the Gurnee Police department and runs concurrently with the Gurnee Days festival.

Every child who participated was entered into a raffle. Prizes included four bicycles, as well as helmets, backpacks and water bottles.

The bicycles were donated by Advocate Immediate Care Centers of Vernon Hills, Round Lake and Gurnee.

Gurnee Days runs through Sunday, Aug. 9 in Viking Park.

To find out more information about Gurnee Days visit www.gurneedays.com/