There was no doubt in 9-year-old Leviah McBee's mind when picking out a bicycle from Community Cycles' bike giveaway Saturday, she wanted something pink.

Never mind the fact that she lives in the mountains and needed something better-equipped for the terrain. If the bike was pink, especially if it matched her hot-pink shirt, Leviah beelined for it, and she crinkled her nose at the green and chrome boys' mountain bikes with which her mother, Deann McBee, tried to entice her.

Leviah and her mother were just two of many who showed up at Boulder High School's parking lot Saturday morning to pick out a free bike. Community Cycles, a volunteer-driven Boulder nonprofit that provides bikes, bike equipment and classes for the general public, hosted the second annual giveaway. Last year's was held at Columbine Elementary School.

"We try to make biking accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial status," said Rich Points, an organizer of the giveaway. Points said the organization expected to give away almost 70 bikes by the end of the day.

While donations or bike trade-ins were welcomed, they were not required. Several children walked up wheeling too-small bikes and left with ones that fit just right.

Wanda Pelegrina, a volunteer with Community Cycles, said she recognized many of the children and bikes from last year's giveaway. "It's nice to see that they're actually upgrading and not just keeping a bike that's too small for them," she said.

Community Cycles offers programs for children and adults. Its Earn-A-Bike program, the most popular the shop offers, gives adults and children the opportunity to take 15 hours of shop time and instruction, after which they are free to choose a bike and customize it. Volunteers also offer free bike tune-ups at the Boulder County Farmer's Market every Saturday and Wednesday.

Most of Community Cycles' bikes come from donations from the public; however, it also receives some in partnership with the Boulder Police Department and the Regional Transportation District, which donate bikes that have been abandoned throughout the city. The group refurbishes them in its shop.

In November, Community Cycles sent 450 bikes to Ghana, Africa. Later this month or next month, Gary Gingras, a volunteer, said the organization is planning to send nearly 300 to Congo, partly to help people there reach bonobo apes which are usually located several miles deep into the jungle for conservation efforts.

Despite concerns about color, most kids were excited about their new bikes Saturday, zipping around the parking lot and playing with gears. Seven-year-old Gabe Faraca was torn between a six-speed bike and a seven-speed bike "They're both totally wicked," he yelled but ultimately went with the seven-speed.

And while the Community Cycles volunteers were kept busy with seat adjustments and mechanics questions, they still took the time to watch the children, some of whom had never ridden a bike before.

"The look on kids' faces when they ride out on a bike pretty much speaks for itself," said Chris Scanlon, the shop coordinator.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Emily Tienken at 303-473-1328.