By Kathy Chouteau
During Bike Month in May, the Richmond Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (RBPAC) is spreading the word on a bevy of outdoor biking activities aligning with their vision of a bike-able, walkable Richmond, starting with “Bike to Wherever Day 2021” Fri., May 21, 2021.
All day Friday, RBPAC is encouraging cyclists to “hop on your two wheels to show that pride and purpose,” for Bike to Wherever Day, adding that “when you pledge to ride, you show our city that bikes count.” As its name suggests, Bike to Wherever Day is all about just getting on your bike and going wherever your spirit takes you. Cyclists planning to participate can pledge to ride via Bike East Bay, which will connect everyone to a map of energizer stations, digital goody bags and local routes to ride.
Cyclists who want to keep it local on Bike to Wherever Day can celebrate Richmond Greenway Day Fri., May 21 in a variety of ways. First, participants should wear green threads to show you’re celebrating Richmond Greenway Day, then ride along the paved trail with friends any time of day Friday. Cyclists also have the option of participating in a “Morning Ride” or “Afternoon Family Ride” on the Greenway.
For the Morning Ride on the Greenway, all skill levels of riders are welcome to meet Friday at 11 a.m. at The Richmond Museum of History, 400 Nevin Ave in Richmond. The group will ride by Rich City Rides, Dirt World and then over to Point Richmond, at which point riders can continue over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, or stop at Kaleidoscope for a coffee instead. The ride to Point Richmond is 3.5 miles; those who continue over the bridge will add approximately 11 miles to the journey, per RBPAC. Masks are required; register here.
Adult and child riders alike can meet Friday at 4 p.m.at Lulu’s Cyclery, 217 W. Richmond Ave., Suite C, in Point Richmond for the Afternoon Family Ride. At a kid-friendly pace, riders will travel on the Greenway from Point Richmond to Unity Park, with sidewalk chalk, bubbles and music to boot. The total ride is 2.3 miles, and again, riders ages 2 and up should wear masks and register here.
Extending beyond Friday, bike enthusiasts can pick up free limited edition Bike to Wherever Day tote bags from May 21-30 at two Richmond locations: Rich City Rides, 1500 Macdonald Ave. and the Richmond Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. Pickups at each location are available during business hours, so check before going.
All throughout May, RBPAC is encouraging cyclists to bike the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge’s separated bicycle and pedestrian path for fun and prizes. Cyclists can look for RBPAC’s banners on both sides of the bride and then scan the QR codes on them for prizes. Per RBPAC, one QR code scan will enter cyclists into a raffle for a tandem bicycle from The Pedaler Bicycle Shop, dinner for two at Anaviv in Richmond and other prizes. By scanning the QR codes on both sides of the bridge, riders will receive a $5 Amazon gift card.
For more info, visit RBPAC here.
