BIDDEFORD — Ahhh freedom — freedom on two wheels, or sometimes, training wheels, when you’re first starting out. 

Bicycling gets you down the street to visit a friend, it might get you to the ball field, and it can impart confidence and a sense of accomplishment. It can be fun in itself, or a means to an end — that getting to where you want or need to go piece.

But there is more to bicycling then just jumping on and having at it.

Kids who turned out for the Bicycle Rodeo put on by Cub Scout Pack 308 at Biddeford Primary School on Saturday learned a lot of tips, and then they put them to work on an obstacle course created with orange traffic cones, some foam “rocks” and a modest, eminently doable, jump.

There were bikes on hand for kids to test their skills if they didn’t have their own, but those who did bring their own bicycles got a check to make sure they were safe before they headed for the obstacle course. Francois Blais volunteered his time to check each bicycle carefully, showing the young bicyclists the importance of good brakes, the right height seat, that the wheels has been installed properly, that there is the right amount of air in the tires and more.

Alex Durocher, who will be attending Grade two at Dayton Consolidated School in September, looked on intently as Blais did an inspection of his bike that was done up with two extra wheels in the back — big ones, from an old bike. The extra wheels, said his mother Maria, provides balance and helps her son build confidence as he rides.

“He loves riding his bike,” said Heather Lund as her son Isaiah, 7,  got ready for the obstacle course. 

She said she and her husband brought their son to the event for some tips.

“This teaches all the things we might forget,” she said.

Mason Ames, 8, felt ready for the obstacle course. His father, Aric, lent a steady hand, explaining his son was just learning how to ride.

After the obstacle course, kids and their families got to hear from John Brooking of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Among the safety tips he imparted was for folks to be “bright and tight” — that is to wear bright colors so they can be seen — and make sure pant legs are tucked into socks or rolled up to prevent entanglement with the bike chain. He also advised tucking in shoelaces, to prevent them getting caught in the chain.

Kids who turned out for the event were offered a new helmet, courtesy of the Michael  T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation. Michael, of Saco, died of complications from a brain injury in 2010 following a snowmobile crash some years before. Foundation President Bradley Goulet, Michael’s father, said the foundation gives out about 1,500 helmets a year. He  pointed out that helmets that are in good shape last around 5 years, and said part of the mission is to get old or damaged helmets out of circulation. 

Lisa Edstron of Cub Scout Pack 308 said the Bicycle Rodeo was a first for the pack. Organizers hope to make it annual event, and are eyeing a May or June time frame for next year.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].