KALAMAZOO & PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, the Mayors of the City of Portage and the City of Kalamazoo will lead a 10-mile bike ride to commemorate Kalamazoo Bike Week.
Kalamazoo Bike Week is an annual event that runs from May 8 to May 15. It is a free event, but registration is required. Residents can visit the City of Portage parks website to register.
Participants can also view the route map at www.kalamazoobikeweek.com, along with other events scheduled during the week to celebrate cycling.
Officials say Kalamazoo Bike Week was initiated in 2012 as a way to raise cycling awareness, promote the use of cycling as a means of transportation and explore the possibilities cycling has to offer.
Organizers aim to celebrate bicycling and the many benefits bicycling brings to the Kalamazoo and Portage communities, and to promote cycling advocacy, awareness and education.
Kalamazoo Mayor Dave Anderson. (Photo courtesy kalamazoocity.org).
Portage Mayor Patricia M. Randall and Kalamazoo Mayor Dave Anderson will both celebrate the week by participating in this event.
“The Mayor’s Bicycle Ride symbolizes the commitment of both the cities of Portage and Kalamazoo have to safe and inner connected bike routes,” Mayor Randall said in a statement.
Kalamazoo Mayor Dave Anderson encourages everyone to join the Mayor’s Ride.
“Quoting John F. Kennedy, ‘nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike,’” Anderson said.
This ride on the first day of Kalamazoo Bike Week will highlight portions of the planned inter-jurisdictional Southwest Michigan Bikeway, the Portage trail and bike lane system, bike lanes and routes in Kalamazoo and a scenic overlook of the proposed Kalamazoo-Portage trail connection along Portage Creek.
“The ride is a great way to experience many types of bicycling amenities in our community and interact with the Mayors on a casual, easy-paced ride.” Chair of Bike Week Paul Selden said in a statement.
Participants will be asked to sign a release form and be required to wear a helmet. While a good portion of the route is made up of off-road trails or pathways, officials say some of the route uses paved shoulder bicycle lanes adjacent to city streets, and may not be suitable for young children.
In the event of inclement weather, please refer to the Kalamazoo Bike Week inclement weather policy at this link.
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