It’s the end of July, and summer is in full swing in Bedford. From garden and car shows to Little League baseball, people of all ages are busy with their summer routines.

From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, July 29 (with a rain date of Sunday, Aug. 5), the Bedford Police Department’s Community Policing Division will join in on the summer fun and hold its first Bicycle Rodeo in the upper parking lot of Bedford High School. This event will be put on in conjunction with corporate sponsors Kohl’s, Target, Walmart and Harvest Market.

“What we are trying to do is to get the police more involved in the community. We are working more with children, the elderly and the businesses,” said Bedford police officer Danielle Nightingale. “This is part of our way of reaching out to the community and to have them meet us in a positive aspect.

The Community Policing Division’s Youth and Young Adult Section will provide bicycle safety information, guidelines and “rules of the road” to enhance the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

“With increased motor vehicle traffic using our streets and roads, it is especially important for bicyclists to know the rules, know how to be safe and ensure they know what kind and how to use essential safety equipment that could save a child’s life or mitigate serious injury,” said Lt. Michael Bernard.

Part of the rodeo activities will include helmet fittings, bicycle safety inspections and safe riding lessons offered by certified mountain bike officers of the Bedford Police Department.

There also will be obstacle courses for riders to practice the skills they have learned. The rodeo will be an opportunity for residents to register their bicycles with the Police Department.

“Should a bike ever become lost or stolen, this service will aid in recovery of the bicycle,” Bernard said.

The department’s Motorcycle Unit will put on an demonstration to inform residents about how the Traffic Division and Motorcycle Unit keeps the roads of Bedford safe for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The department also will provide free helmets to the first children to arrive who need them. Refreshments and pizza will be provided, donated by corporate sponsors and the Bedford Police Union.

“We do want to educate the children on the law,” Nightingale said. “You have to follow the same rules of the road as drivers and wear a helmet until you’re 16.”

Katelyn Dobbs can be reached at 594-6549 or kdobbs@nashuatelegraph.com.