Bay State Bike Week is Underway this May!

08 May 2014

May 8, 2014--Pioneer Valley citizens will have the opportunity to celebrate bicycling during Bay State Bike Week, May 10-18. This collaborative effort of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, MassBike, MassDOT, MassRides, community volunteers, businesses, and civic organizations encourages residents to commute by bicycle to work, to school, and for short trips in their communities.

More than 45 events—commuter breakfasts, film screenings, child safety rodeos, training rides, maintenance workshops, and more—have been designed to appeal to people of all ages and interests, from casual recreational riders to cycling enthusiasts.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Bike Week in the Pioneer Valley. Over 1,400 participants are expected to participate in communities throughout the region, including Amherst, Chicopee, Easthampton, Granby, Greenfield, Hadley, Holyoke, Northampton, South Hadley, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield.

Here’s a sample of Bike Week community activities:

Westfield – Bike Ride with Mayor Knapik
Monday, May 12, 8:30 a.m.
City Hall, 59 Court Street
Join the Mayor of Westfield on this bike ride through the city, leaving from City Hall.

Amherst – Bike Safety Rodeo
Wednesday, May 14, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Amherst Common Parking Lot

Learn bicycle skills, earn prizes, and have fun! Includes bicycle and helmet fit check, learning to ride for beginners, signaling, and slow bike race. Teach your children to safely ride during this workshop for kids.

Northampton – Commuter Breakfast
Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
HCOG Courthouse Lawn
Come join in this commuter breakfast with fellow cyclists and get some free food, as well.

Amherst – Free International Bicycle FilmFest
Thursday, May 15, 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 
Amherst Town Hall, Town Room
Films about bicycling will be shown from various countries of the world. At 6:00 p.m., naturalist Laurie Sanders will present Bike Commuter Advocate Award to Dorie Goldman.

Greenfield – Commuter Lunch
Friday, May 16, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
Bicycle World, 104 Federal Street
Ride your bike during the lunch hour for free food at Bicycle World.

Springfield – Family Fun Festival
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
North Riverfront Park, 121 West Street
This festive event will include something for everyone: face painting, rowing and paddling instructions, a bicycle maintenance workshop, rides along the Connecticut River Walk, and festive foods.

South Hadley – Group Road Ride

Sunday, May 18, 12:00 p.m.
This 5-to-7 mile ride will start at McCray’s Farm and riders receive 10 percent off a purchase at McCray’s Creamery and Farm.

Bay State Bike Week in the Pioneer Valley is a collaboration of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and MassBike. Details about schedules, activities, events, and locations are available at www.BayStateBikeWeek.org, or contact Josiah Neiderbach, Bike Week Regional Coordinator, at (413) 781-6045 or jneiderbach@pvpc.org.