NEW ULM — A free Community Bike Expo with events for all ages will be held rain or shine on Saturday, April 22, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the New Ulm Civic Center. The expo is being coordinated by three organizations: Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project, New Ulm Parks and Recreation and Healthy Together, a partnership of Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur and Waseca Counties funded by the Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP).

Free activities will include:

• Kids’ Bike Rodeo designed for grades 4-6. For safety reasons, younger children who wish to participate must bring their own appropriate-size bike and helmet.

• Age 2-5 strider area where young children can begin to ride on special starter bikes that will be provided

• Bike mechanic station where people can get their bike checked for free

• Local organizations will showcase bike-related products and services and clubs to join, while offering information about biking in New Ulm and lessons in safety.

After the event, people of all ages are also invited to bring their bike and helmet and join a leisurely group ride from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. along New Ulm’s designated bike route and Bike Circle Route. People who plan to join the bike ride should meet by the Civic Center’s 12th N. St. entrance.

In addition to the three coordinating organizations, other supporting groups and organizations that will be represented at the event include: Andy’s Bike Shop, River Valley BMX, Allina Health, New Ulm Police Department, MN DNR and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

The expo is still looking for volunteers to assist with the kids’ bike rodeo. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Cindy Winters from The Heart of New Ulm Project at 507-217-5548.