Event provides enjoyable fitness
May 2, 2010
Cyclists from Lexington and other parts of Kentucky will ride together throughout May.
They will take part in Bike Lexington, an annual month-long celebration of cycling promoted in conjunction with National Bike Month each May.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the Downtown Lexington Corporation, the YMCA of central Kentucky and a team of community volunteers organize Bike Lexington.
The groups help cross-promote more than 60 bike-related events and bike rides throughout the community, event organizer Kenzie Gleason said.
Bike Lexington offers UK students a wide variety of events ranging from casual rides, workshops, safety classes, commuter challenges, progressive dinners and advocacy meetings, Gleason said.
Shane Tedder, an event organizer and UK’s sustainability officer, said Bike Lexington offers something for everyone.
“Events range from competitive races to progressive dinners and bike-in movies,” Tedder said.
By law, the bicycle is a vehicle, so cyclists need to ride predictably and obey all laws and traffic control devices, Tedder said.
“Biking is a great way for students, faculty and staff to get to campus, and it is by far the best way to get around campus,” Tedder said. “It’s cleaner, healthier, cheaper and faster (around campus) than driving, and it can also be a lot of fun.”
Gleason said one feature event is the 10-mile car-free fun ride on Monday, May 31, presented by Pedal Power Bike Shop. The ride starts at 11 a.m. and is followed by an afternoon of bike races on closed downtown streets.
Spectators have events to look forward to as well, Gleason said. Bike Lexington will have its first mountain bike stunt performance, she said.
Gleason said Bike Lexington is a time for people to stop and appreciate all that biking provides for the city.
“It’s just a fun, relaxing and peaceful way to spend an afternoon,” she said. “It’s great to see the downtown filled up with bicycles and helps you imagine what our city could be like if we all rode bikes a little more and drove a little less. The thing that amazes me each year is the sound of the 1,000 plus bicyclists taking off all at once.”
Daily events can be found at www.bikelexington.com.
