Cedar Falls will celebrate May as National Bike Month with opportunities for all ages to begin or expand biking to work for recreation, errands, health, and just for fun.
"This nationwide celebration of the freedom that bicycling provides for all ages has been around since the 1950s", said Andrew Shroll, chair of the Cedar Falls Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. "Cedar Falls is a well-established bicycling community and it's along the Great American Rail Trail, a cross-continent bike route. We encourage all ages to try bicycling."
In celebration of Bike Month, the Cedar Falls Bicycle/Pedestrian committee is helping to organize the following activities-
- May 15-21: National Bike Week
- May 19: National Bike to Work Day. Beat the traffic and avoid parking hassles. Start in nice weather, give yourself enough time, and enjoy the birds and blooming spring flowers along your route.
- May 17: Ride of Silence, 6:00 p.m., Overman Park. Slow ride to honor bicycle riders who lost their lives in accidents during the past year.
- Bike Rodeos for elementary school students sponsored by Cedar Valley Cyclists. Aldrich Elementary students participated in late April. Students learn biking rules of the road and may win a helmet.
- Poster Contest for K-6 students showing why riding a bicycle is important to you. Students can bring their posters to Bike Tech or Hall Bicycle Company by May 27 for the chance to win prizes.
- New Cedar Valley interactive Trails Map: This map shows over 125 miles of trails and various features including bike repair stations, bird-watching spots, cleared winter trails, closed trails, campgrounds, and more. View the map at https://arcg.is/yvGn.
The committee also reminds bikers and drivers of these important safety notes-
- Bikers: Wear helmets for safety and visibility. Outfit your bikes with safety lights and be sure the brakes work. Follow the same rules of the road; bikers can ride in the center of a traffic lane.
- Drivers: Be on the lookout for bike riders and walkers along the city streets and bike trails. Slow down when you see a biker and, if passing, move all the way to the next lane before passing the biker.
For more information on Cedar Falls and National Bike Month, visit bit.ly/cfBikePed. Happy trails, Cedar Falls!