Commuter Bike Ride

Here’s a short video from Tuesday’s Commuter Bike Rides. Enjoy!

Bike to Work Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day. The weather is shaping up to be a great day, so you’ll have no excuse to miss this opportunity to ride in style. Tell your boss you might be a little late in the morning because you are making an effort to lift the stigma that Wichita is one of the worst cities to commute by bicycle.

Don’t forget to meet up in Old Town Square from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to network with other bicycle enthusiasts. The first 50 cyclists who ride over there will receive a FREE Chipotle burrito. Free inspections will be held by local bicycle shops including Lee’s Bike Shop and the Bicycle Pedaler. Bike MS, The Bike Cave, and Bike/Walk Alliance will be on hand to tell you what they are doing to help the bicycle community grow in Wichita.

The League of American Bicyclist has designated Friday May 21 national Bike to Work Day. Start-Thinking is encouraging individuals in the Wichita community to Bike to Work. Bike to Work is annual event that is part of Bike Month.

Commuter Bike Ride Tuesday, May 18

Which route are you going to take? Meet at the Central YMCA at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18. Commuter guides will take you along one of the following routes. You have the option to return with them, leave the route along the way to head off in your own direction or be picked up by a friend or family member at any point along the route.

Here are the Five Route Maps:

Route 1 Northwest: Keeper of the Plains, Riverside Park, Cowtown, Museums on the River, Twin Lakes area, Sedgwick County Zoo and Park, Warren Theatre West, New Market Square, YMCA West Branch – Led by commuter cyclist Scott Dyer, Jeff Usher and Bob Blinn

Route 2 K-96: Via Christi-St. Francis, Coleman, York, USD259, Grove Park, Chisholm Trail Park, (WSU), Koch, Pioneer Balloon, LSI, YMCA (K-96 & Woodlawn), Bel Aire – Led by commuter cyclist John Thompson

Route 3 East Central: Wesley Hospital, Wichita Clinic, Towne East, CCH, YMCA, Hawker-Beechcraft, Andover’s Central Park, Andover YMCA – Led by commuter cyclist Greg Standifer

Route 4 Southeast: Linwood Park, Cox Communication, Via Christi-St. Joseph, Cessna Park, Cessna-Pawnee, McConnell AFB, Boeing, Spirit, (return route past Towne East) – Led by commuter cyclists Dean Smythe and Rick Moss

Route 5 Southwest: Delano, Friends University, Newman University, Cessna-Wallace, Case-New Holland, (return route past YMCA) – Led by commuter cyclist Larry Bennett

Group Rides

This year Bike to Work Day is May 21st. We’re planning a way to mark and celebrate the day at lunchtime. Please share your ideas.

One thing we want to do IN ADVANCE of Bike to Work Day is conduct some rides from the Oldtown/Downtown core to different parts of the city (and even into Derby). If you are willing to lead a group or want to ride along, please contact John Thompson (558-5158, John.Thompson@Start-Thinking.com, Twitter: @thompsonline).

Here is some tentative information on the rides. Stay in tune with this website, the Facebook Group and Twitter (@BikeWichita and hashtag: #BikeWichta) to get more details on the group rides and other events as information becomes available.

TENTATIVE: On May 18th (date tentative) plan on a Commuter Bike Route Discovery Tour (name tentative) with your choice of rides on one of 5 primary routes (number tentative) led by experienced Commuter Bike Guides (title tentative). The Bike Guide(s) on your chosen route will point out route options, obstacles and solutions as we take a 30 to 45-minute ride from a common starting point at the Downtown YMCA (location tentative) to a turnaround point on the edge of town. Riders can then proceed to their homes or return to the Downtown YMCA – possibly on an alternative route that differs slightly from the outboundleg of the ride.

A lot of people have joined Facebook in the last year. It should be easy to share when and where people are riding – on all days, not just Bike to Work Day. Please tell your friends about the group and encourage them to join us.

Ride safe!

Connect with Bike Wichita

Connect with Bike Wichita on Twitter and Facebook.

On Twitter:
-Connect with others.
-See updates on upcoming events.
-Tweet your location.
-Use the hashtag #BikeWichita.

On Facebook:
-Meet up with other riders on the Discussion Board. Find a group to commute with or plan a lunch time or after work ride.
-Post pictures of your sweet bike under Photos.
-Send Event Invites to your friends.
-Tell us exactly what your thinking by posting something on The Wall.
-Get involved and help make Bike to Work day a success in Wichita.

Be sure to also check out The League of American Bicyclist page.

Bike to Work | May 21