Save the dates! Seattle Bicycle Expo is coming up and it’s big fun for kids and their keepers:
Saturday, March 1: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 2: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Cascade Kids’ Zone (back left corner of level two) is a blast. Last year it featured oddles of carnival games:
and craft projects:
Even the not-specifically-for-kids things are fun, like running the wrong way up the green bike lane carpet shouting, “I’m a salmon!” and pedaling a stationary bike at Watts-Up?
Non-pedalers should check out the Learn to Ride Class Saturday 9:30-10:45 a.m. (Bike Stunt Area on level one) and all kids should hit the Wheelie Fun Stunt Course Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Bike and helmets will be provided!
Last year a bonus stunt course was added outside, but no guarantees that will happen again so try to hit one of the early ones.
We also enjoyed last year’s indoor picnic area provided by Nutcase Helmets. Kids ran and rolled on the artificial grass and colored with sidewalk chalk while parents perused the adjacent Kenmore Camera Photo Contest entries (you can still enter photos through February 25th!). This year it’s called “Lounge & Spinathon Area” so it might look quite different.
The presentation you can’t miss is “Look Ma, No Car!”…An Intro to Transportation Bicycling for Families by Morgan Scherer of Familybike Seattle Saturday 10:15-11:00 a.m. on the level two Main Stage. She’ll also be available both days at the Family Bike Expo:
Last year the family bikes were at booth 306 (back left corner on level one–here’s the floor plan). I’ll be there most of the time as well and we’d love local family biker volunteers to hang out with us at the booth–sign up here. Bring your bike, bring your kids! Conveniently close to the potties and the food court.
Also not to miss are the German artistic cyclists, Saturday 11:00-11:20 a.m., 1:20-1:45 p.m., 3:00-3:15 p.m., and 5:00-5:15 p.m. in the Bike Stunt Area. The kids and I were mesmerized by them four years ago–here’s someone’s video of Corrina Hein from that day:
and my oldest posing with his heroes:
Many of the booths will have fun stuff for kids. I hope to check out everything, but especially
- G&O Family Cyclery – booth 418
- Pedalheads Bike Camps – booth 124
- and the demo bike rack at King County Metro Transit – booth 363
I’ll lead a Critical Lass ride to the event on Saturday and a Kidical Mass ride over on Sunday. Details on those coming soon.
Bring a friend and save some cash: Cascade has a livingsocial deal going for two one-day tickets for $9.
