A bike workshop will be held at the Benicia State Recreation Area on Saturday. (File photo)

As many cyclists will tell you, biking is a great form of exercise and a lot of fun. However, as with everything else, great care must be taken. You do not want to end up with a flat tire, a rusty chain or brakes that suddenly fail when you head downhill.

Thankfully, the Solano Transportation Authority and Solano Safe Routes to School have partnered to tell cyclists everything they need to know in the first-ever Benicia Bike Workshop in the State Recreation Area parking lot.

The workshop, open to people of all ages, aims to provide basic cycling safety concepts and skills to properly handle bikes to help individuals and families feel secure when riding their bikes alone or together.

The seminar will consist of a variety of activities and lessons from various agencies, including a Bike Rodeo obstacle course to demonstrate established bike handling tips. Staff from Benicia’s very own Wheels in Motion shop will teach basic bike maintenance, and Bay Area Bike Mobile will demonstrate how to fix bikes. Representatives from the Solano County Public Health Department, Rep. Mike Thompson’s office and Leonardo’s Cycle in Vallejo will also be in attendance.

Attendees of the workshop will learn such skills from volunteer instructors as proper bike fit, items to bring on rides, how to change a flat tire, how to check tire pressure and other essential skills. After the lessons are done, attendees can go down the dedicated trail for a brisk ride to apply their skills and boost their confidence.

STA board members, such as Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, believe the event will be a good way to encourage the use of cycling.

“I’ve been bike riding with my daughters since they could ride,” she said in a statement. “That is my favorite Mother’s Day activity. I am excited to launch this first workshop to give kids and adults tips and tools for safe biking. This Bike Workshop is a great way to get the whole family riding their bikes together. Bicycling is a great way to be healthy, stay in shape, and have fun!”

The workshop will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21 in the SRA parking lot at West K Street. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets, as both will be provided but only on a limited, first-come-first-serve basis. Registration is required. For more information, contact Nancy Lund at 748-0155 or Lloyd Nadal at 399-3219.

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