The Rotary Club of Sequim recently awarded an adaptive tricycle to Rodney Torres, a 7-year-old local youth who has special needs.

Rotarians say Torres was reluctant to ride at first, even though he had experienced riding his school’s adaptive tricycle with Sequim schools physical therapist Cherry Bibler. Once fitted with his new bike helmet, he started to enjoy pedaling the bike while his father directed it using the steering bar.

Torres’ parents Mayra and Teles Torres were excited to see the joy on their son’s face as he rode on the blue Rifton tricycle, Rotarians said last week.

The specialized tricycle is particularly stable and durable, and riding it will help the youngster work on strength, balance, coordination and functional motor skills, Rotarians said.

This is the sixth adaptive bike the Rotary Club of Sequim has given to local children with special needs.

Jim Jones, Doug Schwarz and Ted Shanks, Rotary Club of Sequim adaptive bike program committee members, work with local health professionals and the Sequim School District to identify children who will benefit from the gift of a Rifton Company adaptive tricycle.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Sequim, see sequimrotary.org.