Wheel World Experience

By Kaaren Valenta

David Tortora frowned in concentration as he guided his bicycle on a zigzag course through a line of orange cones on the parking lot at Newtown High School. The Cub Scout, a member of Den 13, Pack 170, of Sandy Hook School, was intent on passing all of the tests at the bicycle rodeo held by the pack at the high school last Saturday.

“It’s not as easy as it looks,” David’s mother, Terry Tortora, commented as her son successfully navigated his way through the course while Officer Steve Ketchum of the Newtown Police Department observed.

Officer Ketchum, who staffs the police department’s bicycle patrol, and Officer Dana Schubert, the youth officer, staffed the bicycle rodeo along with parent volunteers. The event was coordinated by Jody Price, whose son, Shane, is in Den 19 and Penny Volpe, whose son, Joshua, is in Den 7.

“My son asked me how he could earn his requirements for the pin,” Mrs Price said. “One of the requirements is to attend one of these bike rodeos. We thought it would be a good idea to have one. (The scouts) within both our dens and their families were very positive and understood how all scouts within our pack could benefit from our hosting the Bicycle Rodeo.”

Mrs Price said that although many scouts and their parents were away on vacation, about a third of the 100-member pack participated in the rodeo, learning about bicycle safety and maintenance, and testing their bicycle riding skills on three courses: riding a straight line and braking, weaving around obstacles such as potholes, and using hand signals.

Joe Villafano and his son, Geno, of the Bicycle Goodie Shop of Bethel checked each scout’s bicycle, making adjustments and recommending repairs when needed.

Officer Schubert talked about bicycle safety: always wear a helmet, watch for hazards in the road, and never carry passengers “unless it’s a bicycle built for two.” Officer Ketchum, who occasionally staffs the town’s bicycle patrol, said the bicycle rodeo was a good idea.

“There is so much traffic in town now,” he pointed out. “Drivers are on cell phones, or driving with a cup of coffee in one hand and a bagel in the other. I’ve even seen drivers reading the newspaper [while driving]. It’s important for anyone on a bicycle to be knowledgeable about bike safety and be alert to hazards.”

The bicycle courses were designed by Officer Ketchum; Jeff Price, Den 19; Michael Volpe, Den 7, and Deryl Gaier, cubmaster, as well as additionally supervised by Richard Eckler and Steve Jaroszewski.