It was part of Maricopa Police Department’s inaugural bicycle rodeo in late April, an event designed to promote cyclist safety among local youth. Families could have helmets properly fitted, get lights and reflectors installed on their bicycles and get a quick tune up.  

Chief Mark Goodman said the event was part of the department’s ongoing community safety initiatives around bicycle safety, adding MPD wants “to try to prevent some of those incidents where kids and bicycles and cars may all come together at the wrong place.” 

The event followed a string of 2026 crashes involving young pedestrians and bicyclists, including multiple children hospitalized and a 24-year-old woman killed. 

“We want to try to prevent that and ensure safety for our community,” Goodman said. 

A Maricopa Police Department volunteer fits a bicycle helmet onto a child at the city's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A Maricopa Police Department volunteer fits a bicycle helmet onto a child at the city's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A child rides her tricycle on an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A boy rides his bicycle on an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A mother assists her child in riding a tricycle on an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

Children navigate an obstacle course as Sgt. Hal Koozer watches on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A girl rides her bicycle on an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A volunteer installs reflectors and lights to a child's bicycle on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A child spins a bicycle tire during Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

Art featured at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

Art featured at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A boy wears a mohawk helmet during Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

Children navigate an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

Children navigate an obstacle course at Maricopa Police Department's inaugural bicycle rodeo on April 24, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]