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Bluffdale • It used to embarrass Traeson Hickman that he was the one kid who could not ride a bike.

But the 11-year-old is no longer that kid.

He proved it Thursday, circling the parking lot at Summit Academy again and again, his face alternately stony from concentration and beaming with joy.

"I finally was able to ride a bike," said Hickman, who has OMS (Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome), a rare neurological disorder.

Hickman is one of 40 people, ranging from ages 7 to 35, who are learning to ride bikes this week at Ride to New Heights, a camp for people with disabilities.

It's the first time the nonprofit iCan Shine has brought its special bikes and instructors to the state. Utah-based United Angels Foundation is hosting the camp.

The campers begin in the gym, riding bikes that have no back tires but rolling pin-like rollers tapered at the ends. Those rollers allow the riders to tip, slightly, without falling as they learn to balance.

Volunteers — the camp has 80 — run along behind, holding a third handlebar sprouting out the back of the bike to steady the rider, if necessary. Some campers instead ride on a tandem bike, with the instructor behind, controlling the steering and braking.

Campers ride in daily, 75-minute sessions for five days. The classes have eight campers at a time and they move to the parking lot when they're able to ride unaided.

Typically, 80 percent of the campers ride alone on regular bikes by the end of the five-day camp.

Jill Austin, executive director of United Angels Foundation, said there's so much to be gained by learning to ride a bike: independence, confidence, social skills.

"It happens like that — all because of learning to ride a bike," said Austin, who taught her own daughter, who has Down Syndrome, when she was 7. "It makes them feel included with their peers."

The Ride to New Heights camp was the brainstorm of Steven and Sally Palmer of Draper, whose 16-year-old son, Elijah, was the manager last year for the Corner Canyon High School mountain biking team.

The head of the Utah High School Cycling League challenged the Palmers to make sure Elijah is able to ride on the team this fall. The 16-year-old has autism. But on Thursday he rode a bike for the first time on his own.

The Palmers enlisted the United Angels Foundation to host the camp, but got the sponsors, volunteers and lined up the venue. Summit Academy donated use of its gym and building.

"It may not seem like much, but for him it's huge," said Steven Palmer, of Elijah's accomplishment. "It's a milestone in our lives. But for (the students), it's transforming. It's about learning to do hard things."

Rachel Warner, program manager for the league, said the plan is to have students with special needs like Elijah on all the middle and high school club teams. They would come together for races of their own, she said.

Karen Conder marveled during Thursday's camp at her 19-year-old son Peter, who has autism. He has always feared he would fall, especially after his father dislocated his shoulder while biking last year.

"He's got this new air of confidence about him," she said as Peter pedaled around the lot.

"I thought if I did this, I would tip over," Peter Conder said. "I thought I couldn't do it, but I can."

Afterward, volunteer Anthony Rector, 17, a member of the Corner Canyon High mountain bike team, was showing Peter all his biking scars.

Will he continue riding?

"I don't know if I will," Peter Conder said. "I could dislocate my shoulder like my dad."

"But," replied Rector. "You just have to get back on the bike!"

kmoulton@sltrib.com