Ollie's Ride for Change

Families, cyclists, and safety advocates from across northern Colorado will gather at Colorado State University on Saturday, June 7, for the annual Ollie’s Ride for Change, a community event aimed at raising awareness about distracted driving and promoting cyclist safety—especially for children.

Hosted at the CSU Lagoon, this year’s ride is packed with family-friendly fun and heartfelt purpose. The event honors the memory of 10-year-old Oliver Stratton, who was killed by a distracted driver in 2023 while riding his bike in Timnath. Since then, his family and community partners have launched Ollie’s Bike Parade, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting road safety and advocating for stronger traffic laws.

One of the day’s highlights will be a Pokémon-themed Children’s Bike Parade, where kids are invited to decorate their bikes using free kits to turn them into their favorite Pokémon characters. Costumes and creativity are encouraged.

Beyond the parade, the day will feature:

• Bike Decorating Contests and Giveaways

• Free Helmets

• Face Painting and other family-friendly activities

• Bike Rodeo to teach children essential cycling skills

• Bike Expo with community groups and cycling safety information

• Advocacy Speakers discussing legislation to combat distracted driving

• Food Trucks and more

The community can also take part in a group ride to the event, departing from Roland Moore Park at 8:30 a.m., led by Bike Fort Collins.

“Ollie’s Ride for Change isn’t just a celebration—it’s a call to action,” said Clarissa Stratton, Oliver’s mother and founder of the event. “We want to create safer streets for all, and that starts with education, awareness, and building a community that stands up for change.”

Local organizations including Safe Kids Larimer County, Avid Cyclist, Safe Routes to School, and Your Group Ride are supporting the event, which continues to grow each year as more families and advocates rally for safer roadways.

Visit olliesbikeparade.org for more information.

The festivities begin at 10 a.m. at the CSU Lagoon. Whether you’re riding, decorating, advocating, or cheering from the sidelines, organizers invite the community to “ride for a safer future.”