Talbot Thrive Helps Family Discover the Joy of Biking

Shiela Molina never imagined that attending Talbot Thrive’s Rolling Rodeo in October would lead to her whole family becoming bicycle riders. But thanks to Talbot Thrive, Shiela, her son Joshua (8), daughter Jeera (3), and husband, Apolonio, are now the proud owners of four bikes.

Shiela was familiar with the concept of bike rodeos back home in the Philippines but had never been able to attend one with her children due to the pandemic. “When the school sent a flyer to my son for the Rolling Rodeo here in Easton, he wanted to go,” says Shiela. “I was pleased to learn that we could participate even if we didn’t have bicycles.”

On the day of the event the family headed over to Easton Elementary School, where they found a course set up in one of the school’s parking lots with two-lane “streets,” intersections, and traffic signage designed to help kids learn the rules of the road when riding a bike or other “roll” device. Volunteers were stationed around the course to help guide the riders and provide encouragement.

In the Philippines, Joshua and Jeerah had strider bikes but were only able to use them in their yard as there were no trails nearby. At the rodeo, they were given loaner bikes and free helmets and set off on the course. Within an hour, Joshua had graduated from a strider to a pedal bike and his sister, Jeera, had advanced from walking on her strider to confidently zipping around the course.

While Shiela watched her children and husband, Pol, who was helping Jeera around the course, one of the rodeo volunteers approached her and suggested she get on a bike as well, saying the event was for riders of all ages. Although her riding skills were rusty, she began pedaling around the course with her children and soon felt comfortable on a bicycle again.

After gaining their new skills, the Molinas were eager for more, but they didn’t have any bikes. On learning of their predicament, Heather Grant, Talbot Thrive’s executive director, suggested they enter the rodeo’s bike raffle. “Heather told me if we don’t get the raffle, she would find a way to get us bikes,” recalls Shiela. “We exchanged phone numbers and she told me to keep in touch.” When Shiela notified her that they didn’t win the raffle, Heather put the word out on Facebook, and through donations from community members, Talbot Thrive was able to outfit the entire family with three gently used bikes, tuned up by a Talbot Thrive volunteer, and one new strider.

Now the Molinas are a bicycling family. “We try to go out every weekend, weather permitting,” says Shiela. “We ride on the rails-to-trails, which is near our home.” Shiela says it’s great to have the bikes because the family can do something together while getting exercise outdoors. It also helps keep the kids away from “using gadgets!”

The Molinas’ story highlights Talbot Thrive’s commitment to creating safe, accessible spaces where families can enjoy biking and develop healthy habits. Through events like the Rolling Rodeo, Talbot Thrive encourages both kids and adults to embrace outdoor recreation and learn essential bike safety skills. By facilitating bike donations and fostering community support, Talbot Thrive promotes wellness, connection, and active lifestyles, and helps to ensure that families like the Molinas can experience the joy of riding together.