HUNTERSVILLE – As part of Huntersville’s Fourth of July festivities, kids from 5 to 15 can test their bike-riding skills at a bike safety rodeo at Birkdale Village.

From 9:30 to 11:45 a.m., riders can steer through the course in a parking area on Birkdale Commons, just east of the fountain circle. The rodeo will precede the decorated children’s bike-and-trike parade, which begins at 11:45 a.m.

The Huntersville Parks and Recreation Department and Birkdale sponsors the rodeo, and volunteers from the town’s Greenway Commission will help youth learn hand signals and negotiate the mildly challenging course using safe-riding techniques. Young riders will get prizes supplied by local merchants when they “pass the test,” according to Geoff Steele, one of the organizers. Drawings also will be held for prizes for parents who bring their children to the event, then ‘sign up’ themselves to engage in learning safe riding techniques.

Staff from the Carolina Bicycle Company in Huntersville also will offer free bike equipment safety checks during the rodeo.

Adjacent to the safety course, visitors can peruse maps, brochures and information about local greenways and regional bicycle trails under development.