(COLUMBIA, MO) -
Columbia Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with GetAbout Columbia, is teaming up for the 14th Annual Bike, Walk and Wheel Week. The celebration will be held May 3-9.
Bike, Walk and Wheel Week offers a full schedule of activities designed to encourage all Columbians to use active modes of transportation to get to work, school or wherever you need to go around town. Almost all Bike, Walk and Wheel activities are free.
The week kicks off on Sunday with the Jay Dix Station dedication and ends on Saturday, May 9 with Loop the City Bike Ride.
The schedule of events for the week:
Sunday, May 3
Jay Dix Station dedication, 2-4 pm, 3725 S Scott Blvd
Dedcation ceremony starts at 2:30 pm
Columbia Parks and Recreation and the County of Boone are pleased to announce the official dedication of Jay Dix Station. The park is adjacent to the MKT Trail and hosts a train themed playground, reservable shelter, basketball court, fitness equipment and a mountain bike skills course. Mountain bike and trials bike exhibition throughout the afternoon. We'll have free gifts for the kids and t-shirts for everyone (giveaways while supplies last). Light snacks and beverages will be served.
Monday, May 4
A Bike is Your Ticket on COMO Connect All Week
Bicyclists ride the city buses for FREE all week! It's the perfect time to try out a combo-commute.
COMO Connect Lunch and Learn Workshop: How to Ride the Bus
12-1 pm, City Hall Conference Room 1A
Bring a sack lunch and find out the details of how to incorporate a ride on COMO Connect with your weekly travel routine. Information will also be presented about Para-Transit, the City's lift-equipped mini-buses that provide curb to curb service to qualified individuals.
Tuesday, May 5
Open House: Mizzou International and Off-Campus Students
10:00 am-12:00 pm, Kuhlmann Court, north of MU Student Center
GetAbout Columbia will be on hand to provide information on Columbia's trail system and safe, responsible cycling tips. Free bike taillight to the first 100 participants.
Bear Creek Trail Ride
6:00 pm, Meet at Shelter 2 at Albert-Oakland Park
The Bear Creek Trail is a 4.8 mile crushed limestone trail located in northern Columbia that links two of the City's most popular large parks, Cosmo Park and Albert-Oakland Park. The gravel trail follows the natural drainage system of Bear Creek. Join us on a leisurely paced, roundtrip ride highlighting access to popular retail locations and neighborhoods. Helmets required.
Wednesday, May 6
Bicycle Licensing Drive
The City of Columbia requires that each bicycle within the city limits be licensed or registered (Ordinance 14-494) so the bike can be traced and returned if lost or stolen. Free bicycle licensing is available at all nine Columbia fire stations, between 8 am and 8 pm (also offered the other 364 days of the year). Columbia Parks and Recreation will also license bicycles from 8 am to 5 pm, Gentry Building, 1 South 7th.
MKT Trail Secret Access Ride
6:00 pm, Meet at the Flat Branch Park playground
This 11-mile round trip ride introduces cyclists to Columbia's backyard gem: the MKT Trail. The historic MKT Trail is one of the nation's original rails-to-trails facilities. Ride leaders will travel at a leisurely pace highlighting access to popular retail, recreation and neighborhood destinations. Helmets required.
Bikes and Brews
PedNet Coalition is hosting Bikes and Brews, an evening bike tour of downtown Columbia with stops for local microbrew samples. This is a fun, easy and social ride through The District.
Price: $30 per person, 21 years old and older only. All proceeds benefit the PedNet Coalition. Visit pednet.org.
Thursday, May 7
Try COMO Connect Day
Everyone rides free, all day long! Find bus schedules at comoconnect.org.
Bike Maintenance Workshop
6:30-7:45 pm, Walt's Bicycle Fitness and Wilderness Co, 1217 Rogers
Workshop will cover the basics of replacing or repairing an inner tube, and simple cable and brake adjustments.
Walk the Course
Receive a $3 discount if you walk instead of ride at L.A. Nickell or Lake of the Woods Golf Courses.
Friday, May 8
Breakfast Station Day
7-9 am at various locations around Columbia
Enjoy a free breakfast as you bike, walk or wheel about town.
Bike Station Locations:
Forum Nature Area/MKT Trailhead - (Hosted by Clovers Natural Market and Tryathletics) 2701 Forum Blvd
Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) - (Hosted by the ARC and Hy-Vee) 1701 W. Ash St. Flat Branch Park - (Hosted by Walt's Bike Shop, the PedNet Coalition and the Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health) 101 S. 4th St.
Garth Nature Area/Bear Creek Trailhead - (Hosted by Kiwanis International) 2799 N. Garth Ave
Williams and Walnut - (Hosted by WELLAWARE) 104 N. Williams St. (near Lions-Stephens Park)
Columbia City Hall - (Hosted by MU Health Care) 701 E. Broadway
PedNet Coalition Bike to School Day
CPS middle school students at all six schools are encouraged to bike to school. Upon arriving in the morning, PedNet volunteers will have stations set up with free refreshments and prizes.
Saturday, May 9
Loop the City Bike Ride
10:00 am, Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary, 3300 Rollins Rd
Join us for a 26-mile loop ride around the City of Columbia. Plan to ride a mix of gravel trails, bike lanes and streets with low traffic volume. Staff will provide SAG (support and gear) for minor maintenance issues. Ride self-supported with an inner tube or patch kit and water. Register by calling 573-874-7460. Maps will be provided. Helmets required.
Garage Games: Longboard Skateboarding
1:00 pm, 5th and Walnut Garage
Call Parkside Skate Shop at 573-447-5283 for more information.
Ongoing throughout May
Story Book Trail
Dawn to Dusk, Stephens Lake Park
Read a story book as you walk through the Hindman Discovery Garden (near Children's Grove) at Stephens Lake Park.
More details are available at www.GoColumbiaMo.com (search Bike, Walk and Wheel). Visitors to the web site can register to win prizes, including a free bicycle from Walt's Bicycle, Fitness and Wilderness Co; a free bicycle from Cyclextreme; and gift certificates from Tryathletics.
For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 874-7460.
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