(BLOOMINGTON) – Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton will lead a community bike tour Wednesday, May 1 to kick off National Bikes Month.
The easy-paced ride around the city will start from Showers Plaza at City Hall (401 North Morton St.) at 4:30 p.m. and will conclude at the Upland Bloomington Brewpub (350 West 11th Street) for the Bikes Month Kick-Off Event & Social Hour from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Riders of all ages are invited to join in the tour and the social hour. The ride will highlight new, emerging, and existing trail infrastructure, including Switchyard Park, the Allen Street Greenway, and Bryan Park.
“Bike Month is a big deal in Bloomington, and this year we have a lot to celebrate,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Along with being recognized on the national level for the second time as a Gold Medal Bicycle Community, we’ve committed to creating miles of new bike paths, making it easier to bike in Bloomington, whether commuting or for recreation.”
The City of Bloomington’s Planning and Transportation Department is partnering with the Monroe County Public Library and the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department to host a series of public events celebrating biking in Bloomington. The schedule of free Bloomington Bike Month events follows:
Ride with the Mayor/Bikes Month Kick-Off Event & Social Hour – Wednesday, May 1
Join Mayor John Hamilton for the Bloomington Bikes Month kickoff! Bring your bike to join in this easy ride around town led by the mayor himself, starting at City Hall and concluding at Upland. Meet at Showers Plaza in front of City Hall at 4:30 for the ride. The celebration will continue at Upland Brewing Company (350 West 11th St.) from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Learn to Bike – Tuesday, May 7 through Thursday, May 9
Are your kiddos stressed at the thought of taking off those training wheels? The City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation team is hosting a Learn to Bike workshop for children (and the young at heart) at the Sherwood Oaks Church. Bikes will be available, so bring your little ones and watch them take their first ride. Sherwood Oaks Church, 2700 E Rogers Rd., 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Commuting 101 – Saturday, May 4 and Saturday, May 11
After spending Saturday morning at the Farmers Market, come back to Showers Common after lunch to learn the best and safest ways to commute on your bike in Bloomington. The same material will be offered at each session, so take your choice. Meet at City Hall, 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Women’s Herstory Ride – Wednesday, May 8
Join us for a ride around town where you’ll discover the role women have played in shaping Bloomington. The group will travel together, and make stops at multiple landmarks for story sharing and discussion. The total distance covered will be between three and four miles. Meet at City Hall, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Bike to Work Day & Block Party – Friday, May 17
First, choose to bike to work this Friday. On your commute home, stop by the block party to enjoy some food in the street, learn a few skateboarding tricks, check out new accessories from local bike shops, and share your opinion on how to make bicycling better in Bloomington. Whether you biked to work or not, the party is for everyone who wants to support walking and bicycling in Bloomington. Hosted by the Monroe County Public Library, Grant St (between Kirkwood and Sixth), 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Market to Moose Family Ride – Friday, May 25
A fun bike-venture for the whole family! Bring your older and younger siblings, your aunts and uncles, but don’t forget mom and dad! We’ll begin our ride at City Hall, head down the B-Line and conclude at the Chocolate Moose for some delicious ice-cream! Meet at City Hall, 1 p.m. until 2: 30 p.m.
2019 Bike Rodeo – Friday, May 25
If you’re a younger rider who needs some improvement in your biking skills, come on down to Twin Lakes! We’ll tutor some more finesse into your riding and you’ll learn some valuable bike safety tips. Meet at Twin Lakes Recreation Center (1700 W Bloomfield Rd), from 9 a.m. to noon.
Events may be rescheduled in case of inclement weather. Event status will be posted at the Planning and Transportation Department’s Facebook page (@bloomingtonplanning) and website.
