Every June for the past nine years, The Tanner Jeans Memorial Foundation and the Snoqualmie Police Department have hosted The Tanner Jeans Bike Rodeo; a special event that honors Tanner’s memory and promotes bike safety in the Snoqualmie Valley. This Saturday, that tradition continues. As the Snoqualmie Valley community and its school-aged population continue to grow, the event becomes even more important.
Tanner Jeans is more than a foundation name. He was an active, shining 7-year old boy with bright blonde hair and eyes, lost tragically to a bike accident on a quiet Snoqualmie Ridge street in 2004.
That June day was a one that shook the newly developed, small Snoqualmie Ridge community. The outpouring of love and support for the Jeans family was something truly representative of the word community. The foundation created to ensure Tanner’s legacy lives on, epitomizes the community’s commitment to teaching its children safety through Tanner’s motto, “Have Fun. Play Fair. Play Safe.”
The Bike Rodeo happens from 11AM – 3PM this Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Cascade View Elementary School and Snoqualmie Community Park. The event is the largest bike safety event in the Pacific Northwest, attracting 800-1000 participants annually. It’s open to the entire community and is the most attended “kid event” in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Featured Every Year
Snoqualmie Police officers will teach bike safety by utilizing age-appropriate bike obstacle courses. They will also perform helmet inspections. If your 
child’s helmet doesn’t pass, they will receive a new one. Dirt Corp, Gregg’s Cycles and Compass Outdoor Adventures will also be on hand performing bike safety inspections.
In addition to safety demonstrations and inspections, there are bouncy houses, face painting, balloon makers, an antique car show and free hot dogs, drinks and snacks.
New This Year!
This year the rodeo kicks off with a parade at 10:45AM. Kids are invited to decorate their bikes, trikes, big wheels, unicycles, etc., line up at the entrance to the Community Park and follow the parade route. The will even be escorted by Snoqualmie Police motorcycles to the bike rodeo entrance.
At 12:45PM, the state championship Mount Si Cheer Squad performs, followed by the Snoqualmie Valley Unicycle Team and then avid community bike riders perform bike demonstrations, stunts, jumps and trick riding.
About 20 members of the Mount Si High School National Honor Society will be helping out at the rodeo this year, some honoring Tanner who would’ve been in high school now. One sophomore was happy to volunteer, saying Tanner was in their first grade class and was always fun to be around.
Bike Works will also participate in the rodeo this year. Started by grass-roots activists, Bike Works runs a bicycle collection and redistribution program, taking donated and unwanted bikes, refurbishing them and getting them to those in need. Snoqualmie Valley community members are encouraged to bring bikes no longer in use and donate them to Bike Works.
This is a great community event. Kids have fun and learn important bike safety lessons simultaneously. Thanks to the Tanner Jeans Foundation and the Snoqualmie Police Department for making this important event happen each year, as well as all the sponsors and volunteers who contribute to keeping the bike rodeo tradition alive.
For more information visit the new Tanner Jean Bike Rodeo Facebook page.
