Week encourages bipedal locomotion
Bike, Walk and Wheel week events promote alternative transport.
Published May 4, 2007
The mayor wants Columbia residents to leave their cars in the garage.
The Sixth Annual Mayor's Challenge Bike, Walk and Wheel Week is scheduled for May 12 to May 19 in Columbia, and a variety of activities are planned to encourage Columbians to get out of their cars and practice a healthier alternative.
The week has two goals, Bike, Walk and Wheel Week coordinator Janet Godon said. Bike, Walk and Wheel week aims to promote health and fitness as well as focus on the environmental aspect of people avoiding using gasoline by not driving.
"The big goal is to encourage people to leave their vehicles at home for the week and get on their bikes or walk or wheel themselves to get around," Godon said.
Godon said she hopes about 3,000 people to participate in Bike, Walk and Wheel Week, based on last year's outcome and on the number of people who have already signed up for activities. She said about 1,500 people have signed up so far.
One main source of Bike, Walk and Wheel Week participation is Columbia schools, Godon said.
"Our school participation is great," she said. "Eighteen schools have signed up for our Walk to School event."
Godon said one hundred percent of Eugene Field Elementary School will participate in the Walk to School event.
"They are going to have all the kids show up at school and then meet outside for a group walk."
Those who don't have bicycles aren't left out of the Bike events, thanks to the bicycle distribution event scheduled for May 13, Cycle-Recycle.
"It is a great event in that we have bikes donated from the community, which are then repaired by volunteers and then donated to people in the community who have registered at the event," Godon said.
Those who receive bicycles at Cycle-Recycle can also pick up helmets at the same time, according to PedNet's Bike, Walk and Wheel Week Web site.
"Safe Kids Columbia has donated 100 helmets that we'll give away at Cycle-Recycle," Godon said. "All you have to do is show up and register. They will be given away on a first come, first serve basis."
During Bike, Walk and Wheel Day, scheduled for May 18, PedNet will provide breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. for participants.
"There will be 10 breakfast stations located throughout Columbia," Godon said. "Breakfast is free for anyone who bikes, walks or wheels through a breakfast station."
A map and listing of breakfast stations is available on PedNet's Web site.
Gordon said one of the goals of Bike, Walk and Wheel Week is to encourage all participants to become more active, whether they regularly travel by walking or riding a bicycle or have never done so.
"This is really geared toward all levels of participants," she said.
Godon said some events, such as the PedNet Project Open House, are geared toward the entire community. The open house is scheduled for May 17.
"This event is an opportunity to learn about Columbia's Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, a $22 million grant awarded to the city," Godon said.
According to the PedNet Web site, committee members and city staff will be available at the open house to discuss the project.
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