RVA Bike Month 2017 presented by Bon Secours will feature over 40 bike-related events
RICHMOND, VA – Proclamations of recognition and support from local government leaders helped kick off RVA Bike Month 2017 presented by Bon Secours, and this year’s month features a full calendar of events to go along with a theme of ‘Fall in Love with Bike Lanes.’ 2017 also marks the fourth year that Bike Walk RVA, a program of Sports Backers, is coordinating the bike related events, with the help of dozens of volunteers and advocates from all over the region.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and City Council kicked things off on Monday, April 24 with an official proclamation designating May as Richmond Bike Month, and the third week of May to be Richmond Bike to Work Week. The following night, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors delivered its first proclamation in recognition of Bike Month and also declared May 19 to be Bike to Work Day. Leaders from both Richmond and Henrico made a point of encouraging all residents to share the road safely. The Henrico Board recognized the efforts of Varina High School’s ‘Blue Devils for Biking’ club to improve their community for biking and walking through stewardship, skill sharing, and advocacy. Club member Zenia Mincey accepted the recognition on behalf of Blue Devils for Biking and was joined by her fellow students and their family members.
Bon Secours Partners with Bike Walk RVA to become Presenting Sponsor of RVA Bike Month
Continuing their support for community health and active living initiatives, Bon Secours is partnering with Bike Walk RVA to be the presenting sponsor of RVA Bike Month 2017. The partnership will help Bon Secours highlight the importance of safe, accessible, and connected bike and pedestrian infrastructure that can play a prominent role in advancing community health.
“Bon Secours is pleased to join the effort to promote cycling as a healthy, safe, and sustainable mode of transportation for the Richmond region,” said Beth Merchent, vice president of community health services for Bon Secours Richmond Health System. “As identified in Bon Secours’ 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, this active form of transportation improves health outcomes, enhances access to multimodal transportation for the region, supports the economic vitality of underserved neighborhoods, and furthers our commitment to work with our diverse partners and community residents to co-create healthy communities.”
On May 27, they’ll also serve as the host of the Bon Secours East End Bike Party at the Sarah Garland Jones Center at 2600 Nine Mile Road. The party is free and open to the public.
RVA Bike Month Calendar Features Over 40 Events
Running from April 29 through May 31, and taking place across the Richmond region, RVA Bike Month will feature over 40 events for bike enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. The calendar includes events taking place in the City of Richmond, Town of Ashland, and counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover, reflecting the growth in support and popularity of increased bike and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the Richmond region.
Activities will include food-themed rides, youth rides, bike commuting seminars, bike rack installations, and group bike commutes, as well as bigger festivals like Dominion Riverrock, which takes place May 19-21 at Brown’s Island and Historic Tredegar.
“The community volunteers, advocates, businesses, and organizations that contribute to the full month of events are what make RVA Bike Month stand out as a great treat for the Richmond region,” said Brantley Tyndall, Community Engagement Manager for Bike Walk RVA. “The rapid and continued growth of community interest in biking highlights the fact that bikes and bike infrastructure are an important part of the region’s identity.”
For a full list of bike month events, and to see the Bike Month poster, check out the 2017 schedule or visit www.sportsbackers.org.
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