Celebrate Mother's Day with Kalamazoo Bike Week at Gilmore Car Museum
Kalamazoo, MI -- April 30, 2021. The 10th Annual Kalamazoo Area Bike Week--featuring events and activities throughout the week--kicks off Sat. May 8 and wraps up Sat., May 15.
Warmer weather and the urge to stay active during COVID are encouraging more bicycle riding than ever--including many families and children. Cautious use of public transit is motivating others to use their bikes for basic transportation. Many cyclists are riding the roads as a way to stay healthy, maintain fitness and train for what promises to be a better season for bike tours and competitive events.
“We’re happy to say that this year, many of Bike Week’s featured events and activities can be enjoyed out of doors while being mindful of public health considerations or can be accessed online,” observes Paul Runnels, co-chair of the overall event. “In addition, this year we are underscoring the need for bicyclists and motorists to drive and bike safely--for everyone to follow the rules of the road.”
Bike Week’s events and activities will be listed on its calendar at www.kalamazoobikeweek.org to raise awareness of the many opportunities to bicycle during the week and throughout the year. An Announcements page will list places to pick up bike safety tips, maps and safe passing yard signs while supplies last. It will also suggest a way to actively participate in an annual food drive; Morris Rose Auto Parts’ is offering to recycle bike tires and inner tubes filled with holes piling up in your garage at no charge, as well. In addition, the website will be the place to check for last-minute updates.
Kalamazoo Bike Week has grown to be one of the most event filled week-long celebrations of bicycling in the United States. Details for more than 30 featured activities, plus an updated downloadable prize-worthy Bike Week poster can be seen on www.kalamazoobikeweek.org.
Bike Week 2021 events and learning activities highlight:
- Locally available bicycle clubs, riding groups and shops
- Group riding on the roads
- Organized trail riding and clean-up opportunities
- Annual Mayor’s Ride
- Mountain biking
- Lessons on how to get your bike ready to ride and fix a flat
- How to teach kids to ride safely
- Local bicycling developments
- Ride of Silence observance
- Dirt & gravel road riding techniques
- Webinars
- Public safety and educational messages
- Yoga For Cyclists
- Ways to support and get involved with bike-related nonprofits.
Bike Week 2021 is coordinated by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, a Michigan non-profit organization. Paul Selden, BFK’s chair and president observes, “Bike Week would not be possible without the efforts of many wonderful independent organizers and sponsors. We are all in this together and looking forward to brighter times in the near future. This is a great opportunity to put the Golden Rule into action, just by following the rules of the road.”
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Bike Friendly Kalamazoo (BFK) is a Michigan non-profit corporation whose mission is to help make our entire community even more bicycle friendly. Its volunteers and stakeholders are drawn from throughout Kalamazoo County and four adjacent townships and three villages in Van Buren County. Its vision is to help communities, businesses and schools achieve public recognition as Bicycle Friendly through collaboration. For more information please see www.bikefriendlykalamazoo.org.
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Kalamazoo Area Bike Week 2021
Events & Activities (*subject to Change Due to Public Health Considerations)
For details go to www.kalamazoobikeweek.org
May is National Bike Month - On Air Interviews - All Week
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Kal-Haven Trail-Blazer (Postponed to 2022)
8:30am-11am - Mayor's (Bicycle) Ride
9am-3pm - Smart Cycling 101
2pm-4pm - Intro to Gravel Road Riding
Sunday, May 9, 2021
All Day Mother's Day--Ride A Bike With Mom!
12pm-5pm - Gilmore Car Museum Bike Friendly Mother's Day Events
Monday, May 10, 2021
9am - Start Bike Bingo Game
6:15pm - KBC Monday Night Ride - Postponed
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
3-5pm - KRVT Trail Cleanup Hosted by Discover Kalamazoo
4-5pm - Michigan Traffic Crash Facts 101 - Webinar
6:15pm - KBC Tuesday Evening Women's Ride - Postponed
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
4pm-5pm - Local Bicycling Developments: 2021 & Beyond - Webinar
6:15pm - Ride of Silence Tribute Ride - 2021
6:15pm - KBC Wednesday Night Ride - Postponed
Thursday, May 13, 2021
All Day Join a Bike Club
4-5pm - Where MDOT Is Headed With Bicycling - Webinar
4pm-7pm - The FIX (Youth Bike Repair Clinic) at Open Roads
Friday, May 14, 2021
All Day Learn How to Fix A Flat
9:30am - KBC Friday Morning Women's Ride - Postponed
3pm-6pm - Open Roads Adult Open Shop
Saturday, May 15, 2021
All Day Teach Your Kids to Ride
10:30-11:30am - Yoga for Cyclists
Noon-3pm - Lake Center District Corridor and Placemaking Study Open House
3pm - Afternoon Elbow Bump - Diversity Meet & Greet
* Postponed/Cancelled activities are listed on the Bike Week calendar to raise awareness of the many bicycling related opportunities in our community during Bike Week and throughout the year during normal times.