National Bike Month celebrated around the Shenandoah Valley

Spring means a return to road tours, trail rides and bike commuting for cycling enthusiasts in Virginia, and to kick off the season, communities all over the Shenandoah Valley region will be celebrating National Bike Month in May.  Bike Month is sponsored by The League of American Bicyclists and was established 1956. Then and now, Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate cycling, showcase its many benefits, and encourage people to try it, or renew their childhood love of riding a bike.

Communities up and down the Shenandoah Valley are recognizing the value of biking facilities and biking culture as a draw for tourists, new residents and new businesses alike.  Families, women, and children are increasingly joining more seasoned cycling enthusiasts with a steadily-growing system of greenways, paved trails, Safe Routes to Schools programs, and women’s cycling groups to encourage them.

The City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County have been leaders in the Central Shenandoah Valley when it comes to celebrating Bike Month.  A group of Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition volunteers begins planning the schedule of events almost one year in advance, and their dedication shows in the extensive offerings: ice cream social rides, night rides with glowsticks, bike to work day, bike to school day, a costume bike ride and bike to worship weekend are only some of the events planned for this year.  For a complete listing, visit: http://svbcoalition.org/bike-month/.

More information about bicycle programs in the Shenandoah Valley can be found on the Bike the Valley website, www.bikethevalley.org.  Bike the Valley, is a  program administered by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) which receives funding to support bicycle and pedestrian programs that make our roads safer and friendlier for all users including advanced and recreational riders, families, school children, college students, commuters and motorists. CSPDC has received additional funding in the coming fiscal year to assist other communities with the launch of their own Bike Month events. Stay tuned in 2016 for a Bike to Work or Bike to School Event near you.

For more information on the region’s bicycle and pedestrian program, contact the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission at [email protected].