More than 300 Cyclists Celebrate National Bike to Work Day in Columbus
For Immediate Release
May 15, 2015
Contact
Leslie Strader, Mayor’s
Office,
645-7673
More than 300 Cyclists Celebrate National Bike to Work
Day in Columbus
Mayor Michael B. Coleman traveled to work by bike
today, joining more than three hundred other cyclists in celebrating National
Bike to Work Day.
Participants rode in eight
separate groups led by Yay Bikes!, CoGo Bike Share, Friends of Camp Chase
Trail, Columbus Recreation and Parks, Friends of the Metro Parks, MORPC and
car2go. The riders converged at Columbus Commons for breakfast, exhibits,
awards, and remarks.
“The past year
has been full of significant accomplishments in our bike network,” said Mayor
Coleman. “In addition to numerous trail projects; bike lanes have been
added downtown and our first protected bike lane is being installed on Summit.”
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission unveiled a
new program, Park & Pedal, in partnership with the City of Columbus.
The program will soon launch designating parking areas for commuters who live
too far from work to bike the entire distance to instead drive part of the way
and bike the remainder. The first two Park and Pedal locations will launch
this season at Academy Park and Dodge Park. More sites and commuter
amenities will be added as the program matures.
“Riding a bike the entire way to work can sometimes be an obstacle,”
said MORPC Executive Director, William Murdock. “Park & Pedal is an easy
and fun solution making cycling more accessible all while improving personal
health and Central Ohio’s air quality.”
A surprise gift, a work of
art of welded bike parts created by Columbus Firefighter Allison Meade, was
presented to the Mayor from the community in gratitude for his work to advance
Columbus as a top rated bike city throughout his 16 years as Mayor. Additionally,
CoGo Bike Share announced that the specially designed “Mayor Mike Bike” will
become a permanent fixture in the system, honoring the Mayor well beyond the
end of his term.
“On behalf of the entire community, I offer my most
sincere thanks to Mayor Michael B. Coleman,” said Catherine Girves, Executive
Director of Yay Bikes. “Many years ago he whole-heartedly embraced
bicycling and invested in making Columbus an increasingly bike friendly
community.”
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