AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Transportation will offer a bicycle safety program to Maine schoolchildren in fourth and fifth grades from late April to the end of the school year, said John Balicki, pedestrian and bicycle coordinator for the department.

Last year’s program reached 105 schools in Maine, 32 of which evaluated the program as exceeding their expectations. Balicki said the 9-11 age group is chosen for training because they have not yet reached the age when they are at greatest risk of accidents, and therefore the training does the most good. For information, call 287-6600.