A bike rodeo to help children learn about safe biking skills will take place in April at a Stockton elementary school.

The City of Stockton Safe Routes to School program and the Stockton Unified School District Department of Public Safety will come together at Flora Arca Mata Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 6 to host the event.

City officials said the school site will have a miniature city that will teach children of all ages how to ride their bike safely, how to handle driveways and intersections, and understand traffic signs and signals.

There will be a bike grand prize drawing and bicycle helmet giveaways.

During the rodeo, people will have the chance to practice the skills and demonstrate what bike skills they learned. Kids are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets but there will be some available for loan, city officials said.

Bike and helmet checks will also be provided for guests.

In order for children to participate, parents must be present, and a permission form must be signed. Anyone wanting more information on the bike rodeo can contact the City of Stockton Safe Routes to School program at 209-937-5136.

Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.