TOWN INFORMATION
May is National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month [Bill Giduz photo]
Davidson Community Members Encouraged to Participate
DAVIDSON, N.C. – May is designated as National Bike Month, and the Town of Davidson encourages all community members to participate.
“One aspect of life in Davidson that makes it such an appealing place is the integration of bike riding into the transportation matrix. A lot of us are able to bike to work or to shop. Not only is that a convenience to riders, it also helps people stay fit, and it reduces car traffic. For those who want a more professional level experience, Davidson is the meet-up point for weekly no-drop group rides ranging from 5 to 50 miles long,” said long-time resident and commuter cyclist, Bill Giduz
Davidson citizens are invited to participate in the following:
Saturday, May 4:
Bike or Walk to Town Day: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join us for Town Day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 on the town green. Ride your bike and park it in the “bike corral” near the Town of Davidson’s booth. Visit the Town of Davidson’s booth to see the solar-electric E.L.F (Electric Light Fun) bike and learn about the town’s participation in the pedestrian and bicyclist safety campaign, Watch for Me NC.
Wednesday, May 8:
National Bike or Walk to School Day (Many gathering locations begin at 7:45 a.m. Please check with your school for specific details.)
Davidson Elementary School (DES):
Students can be dropped off by bus (with DES parent permission form) or by car at the Davidson town green from 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. Community volunteers will line up along South Street to guide students as they walk to Davidson Elementary. For those wishing to walk or ride their bicycles on the greenway, please note that the South Prong Rocky River Greenway on Avinger Lane near The Pines does remain accessible even while undergoing construction. Volunteers will be stationed at the beginning and end of the greenway on Avinger Lane (near The Pines) and South Street (near the school construction site) between 7:45 – 8:30 a.m.
Community School of Davidson (CSD): Local families are encouraged to bike to school or to participate in the “walking school bus” at Roosevelt Wilson Park (420 Griffith Street). Students and volunteers will meet between 7:40 – 7:55 a.m. and then walk to the CSD lower school (kindergarten through seventh grade). Students will also participate by walking during P.E. classes.
Police officers and volunteers will be stationed at key intersections to ensure safety throughout town.
Saturday, May 11:
Lake Norman Bike Expo 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Community Ride: on-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m., ride: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Family Ride: on-site registration begins at 10:00 a.m., ride: 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Bailey Road Recreation Center – 11900 Bailey Road, Cornelius
The Lake Norman Bike Expo event will feature bike demos from area bike shops, educational opportunities regarding bike safety and maintenance, and information about the best places to ride your bike in the Lake Norman/North Mecklenburg region. Davidson Parks & Recreation will have its solar-electric E.L.F. bike and draft Mobility Plan on display. Bikin’ Dads Adventures will host an exciting kids’ and teens’ bike rodeo course. The Town of Cornelius will have information about new greenways which are currently under development, information about recreational programming, and maps from Cornelius’ recently adopted bicycle master plan, Bike!Cornelius. The bike expo will be open 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join the fun early by showing up for the Community Ride, a leisurely ride through Cornelius and Davidson. This 10-mile ride will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Bailey Road Recreation Center (Bailey Middle School), connect to the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway, wind through the quiet streets of east Cornelius, travel down the South Prong Rocky River Greenway, and loop back to Bailey Road, finishing back at the start at approximately 10:00 a.m. Anyone age 14 and older is welcome though participants age 14 – 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required, and a bike with gears is recommended. Families with younger children wishing to ride should attend the Family Bike Ride beginning at 10:30 a.m. On-site registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Monday – Friday, May 13 – 17:
National Bike to Work Week
Please consider riding your bike to work the week of May 13 – 17. Many employers are offering incentives, so check with your human resources departments for details. We also encourage citizens to ride bikes to any destination, especially downtown and the Circles@30 for shopping, errands, etc. Please buy locally!
Saturday, May 18:
Davidson Tour de Trees
Join Executive Director of TreesDavidson, Gordon Clark, on Saturday, May 18 for a leisurely guided bike ride to explore a variety of trees in downtown Davidson, along the greenway, and in nearby neighborhoods. Learn about native, historic, and unusual trees during this guided tour that will start at the town green. Bike and helmet are required. Children age 11 – 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up online at the link below or call the Davidson Parks and Recreation Department at 704-892-3349.
All Davidson Bike Month activities can be found at this link:
www.townofdavidson.org/bikemonth
Davidson Bike/Walk to School and Bike Month volunteer opportunities here: