(COLUMBIA, MO) -
Columbia Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with GetAbout Columbia, is teaming up for the 15th Annual Bike, Walk and Wheel Week. The celebration will be held May 16-22.
Bike, Walk and Wheel Week offers a full schedule of activities designed to encourage all Columbians to incorporate active modes of transportation into weekly travel routines. Almost all Bike, Walk and Wheel activities are free.
The week kicks off on Monday with COMO Connect offering free rides throughout the week and ends on Sunday, May 22 with the Loop the City Bike Ride.
The schedule of events for the week:
Monday, May 16
Try COMO Connect FREE All Week
Everyone rides the city buses for FREE all week Monday - Saturday. It's the perfect time to try out a combo-commute with your bike or feet. Download the COMOconnect app or visit COMOconnect.org to see bus routes.
Make the Wheels on the Bus Work for You; Transportation Lunch and Learn Workshop, 12-1 p.m., City Hall, Conference Room 1A, 701 E. Broadway
Bring a sack lunch and listen to transit experts share trip planning details to help you incorporate COMO Connect, ParaTransit or Services for Independent Living into your weekly travel routine.
Bicycle Licensing Drive and Light Giveaway
The City of Columbia requires that all bicycle owners license their bike in order to expedite the return of lost or stolen property (Ordinance 14-494). Free bicycle licensing is available at all nine Columbia fire stations between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (also offered the other 364 days of the year). Columbia Parks and Recreation will also license bicycles from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 16 at the Gentry Bldg., 1 S Seventh St. Front and rear bicycle light sets will be distributed (while supplies last).
Grindstone Creek Community Trail Walk
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Grindstone Nature Area Trailhead, 2011 Old S. 63
Start your week off with a 3.5-mile heart-healthy walk on the NEW Grindstone Creek Trail. Meet at the Grindstone Nature Area Trailhead. Participants are encouraged to carpool or arrive early and park at the Hillcrest Community Center, 1907 Hillcrest Dr.
Tuesday, May 17
Bike Maintenance Workshop
6:30-7:45 p.m., Walt's Bicycle, 1217 Rogers
Walt's staff will cover the art of quickly replacing or mending a flat tire and minor cable adjustments.
Wednesday, May 18
Family Fun Fest, 6-8 p.m.
Visit the GetAbout Columbia booth at the Family Fun Fest. Staff will be distributing bicycle lights, Columbia Trail Guides and tips on healthy transportation. Bring your bike and join us for a group ride around the Cosmo Fitness Trail at 7:15 p.m.
Thursday, May 19
Bikes and Brews, hosted by PedNet Coalition
5:30 p.m., Cyclextreme, 19 S. Sixth St. (fees apply)
Join the PedNet Coalition on an evening bike tour of downtown Columbia with stops for local microbrew samples. More information at pednet.org.
Friday, May 20
Breakfast Station Day
7-9 a.m., various locations around Columbia
Enjoy a free breakfast as you bike, walk or wheel about town.
Breakfast 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. Fourth St.
- Garth Nature Area/Bear Creek Trailhead - (Hosted by the Columbia Kiwanis Club) 2799 N. Garth Ave.
- Williams and Walnut - (Hosted by WELLAWARE) 104 N. Williams St. (near Lions-Stephens Park)
- Columbia City Hall - (Hosted by Smoothie King and the Public Transit Advisory Commission) 701 E. Broadway
All Access Scavenger Hunt- Presented by PedNet Coalition and Services for Independent Living, 6 p.m., Meet at the Bridge (fees apply)
This scavenger hunt is designed to be fun and challenging, while highlighting mobility features and increasing awareness of access issues. Teams of four will have 90 minutes to complete objectives. Registration required. More information at pednet.org.
Saturday, May 21
Electric Bicycle Trail Ride with Darwin Hindman
1 p.m., Flat Branch Park, 400 Locust St.
Find out what the buzz is all about with electric bicycles. Join former Mayor Darwin Hindman on a tour of Columbia trails. Electric bike not required. Call 573-441-5495 for information on electric bicycle demos (limited availability).
Sunday, May 22
Loop the City Ride
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Meet at Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary, 3300 Rollins Rd.
Join GetAbout staff on a 24-mile loop ride around the City. Ride on a mix of soft surface trails and bicycle-friendly streets. Ride self-supported with an inner tube or patch kit and water. Register by calling 573-874-7460. Helmets required.
Ongoing Throughout May
Share your Soul Shoe Drive
Donate your new or gently used walking shoes (all sizes) so that others may enjoy a heart healthy way to go to work, school or play. Shoes can be dropped off at Dryer's Shoes, 7 N. Ninth St. throughout May. Shoes will be donated to The Wardrobe.
More details are available at www.CoMo.gov (search Bike, Walk and Wheel). Visitors to the website can register to win prizes, including a free bicycle from Walt's Bicycle, Fitness and Wilderness Co; a free bicycle from Cyclextreme; bus passes from COMO Connect; and gift certificates from Tryathletics. The first 500 people to register online will receive an event t-shirt.
For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 573-874-7460.
About GetAbout Columbia (getaboutcolumbia.com): Funding for GetAbout Columbia is provided by the Federal Highway Administration's Non-Motorized Transportation Program. Education and encouragement programs are administered by the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department.
78°F