By Austin Wallis
Next week is National Bike Week, May 9-15, 2015, and it couldn’t be a better time to get out on your bicycle and ride it. Aside from the spontaneous snow storm that happened this week, the weather has been great for riding around Reno.
If you’re nervous about bike commuting, then maybe take the bike out for a spin around your neighborhood or find a co-worker who is interested in commuting and go ride together. Take small steps to help get yourself more comfortable on the road. You don’t have to go on a 45 mile ride the first time you get out on your bicycle. Take it easy and if you’ve got a friend who’s a more experienced rider, ask them to come along with you.
I always feel safer when I’m riding with a group of people, because there’s more of us for motorists to be aware of. Maybe ride bikes with your kids on the way to school, or take a trip to the grocery store by bike instead of car. If you’re an experienced rider and you’ve kept your bike hidden away because of cold weather, dust that thing off and get it ready for the road. The time is now.
In celebration of National Bike Week there are events scattered throughout the week all over the Truckee Meadows to encourage you to ride a bike.
- The Mayoral Challenge Ride is on Thursday, May 14 at 9:00am. Riders will meet at the Reno City Plaza for a ride to Sparks City Hall and officials from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County will be along for the ride to show their support for bikes in the Truckee Meadows.
- There will also be the 9th annual Reno Bike Project Pancake Feed on Friday, May 15. From 6:00-9:00am volunteers will be serving up bacon, pancakes and coffee for those who bike down to the Reno Bike Project located on 541 E. 4th Street. If you can wake up that early, it’s worth your time to be rewarded with a hot breakfast after your morning ride! Grab a buddy and bring them down to the bike shop.
- On Saturday, May 16 there is the 9th annual We Heart Bikes Bicycle Art Show at the Holland Project located at 140 Vesta Street. Each year many artists create bicycle themed art, and I am always blown away by the talent and creativity I see at this show. It’s fun for the whole family, and a portion of the proceeds from the art sales go to benefit the bike project.
There’s lots to look forward to in the coming week. To learn more about Bike to Work Week visit www.bikewashoe.org.
