KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The 9th annual Kalamazoo Bike Week is officially underway as of May 9, and will continue on with various events through May 16.
Social distancing measures have been put in place for participation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with several alternatives and virtual activities offered within social distancing guidelines.
Rather than confine the event over one week, riders can participate all through the month of May, which is also National Bike Month.
“Organizers are mindful of the challenges we’re all facing, so this year many events can be enjoyed riding solo or as a family, participated in virtually, sharing experiences via social media and spread out over Bike Month,” officials said in a statement.
To begin with, the Kalamazoo Bike Club (KBC) is offering a list of its “Lucky 13 KBC Solo Rides,” or a series of routes that cyclists can use for a solo venture. Organizers are encouraging solo riding in compliance with social distancing.
“Many of these rides would have been group rides occurring during Kalamazoo Bike Week, May 9-16, so we were inspired to create an alternate way to encourage everyone to get outside and ride, stay active stay healthy, and stay sane,” officials said.
Riders who utilize these routes are encouraged to share stories of their experiences through photos and written testimony. Stories may be chosen for publication in the Pedal Press, and submissions can be sent via email to educationchair@kalamazoobicycleclub.org.
A full list of the Lucky 13 routes can be viewed at this link.
Additionally, KBC is offering Bike Bingo Cards that riders can use as a guideline for different biking experiences. A sampling of cards shared with WKZO includes goals such as “Rode to Vicksburg,” “Rode Around My Neighborhood,” and more.
The bingo cards can be viewed and downloaded at this link. Organizers are encouraging participants to share bingo card progress with photos and stories on Bike Week’s Facebook Page.
While all of these events are ongoing, local area law enforcement agencies are reminding citizens and cyclists alike about bicycle safety.
Local five-foot passing ordinances exist in Kalamazoo, Portage and Kalamazoo and Oshtemo townships. Elsewhere in Michigan, a three-foot safe passing law must be observed. Parking and driving in bike lanes is unsafe and prohibited by law.
“Unsafe passing, distracted driving, impaired and aggressive driving, speeding and ignoring traffic control devices pose unacceptable public dangers,” warns Sheriff Fuller. “Following the rules of the road also applies to bicyclists. Don’t run red lights. Don’t ride on the wrong side of the road. You put yourself in harm’s way if you don’t ride your bike like you would drive a car.”
More information about Kalamazoo Bike Week events can be found online at https://kalamazoobikeweek.org/. The website also includes tips for biking safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
