May Is Bike Month in the Heights

The Coffee Station at the intersection of Edgehill and Overlook Roads in Cleveland Heights attracted almost 100 on Bike to Work Day in 2012.

May is Bike Month nationwide.  The Heights Bicycle Coalition is supporting local celebrations of Bike Month through collaborations with Heights cities, schools and more.  All are welcome to participate in these free Bike Month activities in the Heights:

May 4, Smart Cycling class for adults at Cleveland Heights High School library, followed by skills instruction on the parking lot.  This class, for both inexperienced riders who want to learn how to ride a bicycle safely and confidently, and experienced riders who want to be sure of best practices and become more expert, will be taught by certified instructor, Wendy Soucie. 9 am to 12:30 pm.  Pay just $12 for materials. Register by May 1 at http://smartcycling.eventbrite.com.   Contact Joy Henderson for more information:  lammerson@sbcglobal.net

May 6, 7:30 pm.  City Council declares May Bike Month in Cleveland Heights.  Bicyclists will start gathering at the arch at Coventry Peace Park at 6:45 pm for a 7 pm ride to Cleveland Heights City Hall to thank the City for making the community more bicycle friendly and to highlight some next steps.

May 8, Bike or Walk to School Day at Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools.  Kids who walk or bike to school are better able to learn, get exercise they need for optimal health, learn to navigate neighborhoods and avoid polluting the environment.  Some schools will have bike rodeos during May.

May 13-17, Bike to Work Week includes:

May 15, Ride of Silence to honor bicyclists who have died riding their bicycles.  Heights riders will gather at 5:45 p.m. at John Carroll University in the Carroll Expansion (Parking) Lot, which is just east of the Dolan Science Center and south of Hamlin Quad, adjacent to Carroll Boulevard. Be ready to start the group ride to University Hospitals in University Circle at 6 p.m.  We’ll join bicyclists coming from Public Square in Cleveland for a brief memorial ceremony.

May 17, 7-9:30 am, Bike to Work Day will be celebrated with free coffee and pastries at the intersection of Edgehill and Overlook Roads, which is one of the busiest bicycle routes in Northeast Ohio.  Coffee provided courtesy of Phoenix Coffee.

Heights residents are encouraged to be part of the celebration of Bike Month by getting on their bicycles and riding, either in the events cited here, or for commuting, errands, trips around town, and fun!  Bike Cleveland also lists many more Bike Month events in Cleveland and the region on its Web site, http://bikecleveland.org/.