Update: River Laker, aka CarLessBrit, has posted video of this event: Part 1 & Part 2. Thanks CarLessBrit!
PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, VA
Saturday in Roanoke was a great day! 90+ people of all ages and riding experience opted to go car less and ride with Mayor Bowers 2 ½ miles from Wasena Park to the Mayor’s monument in downtown Roanoke.
Many riders enjoyed the Strawberry Festival and the Chili Cookoff in the historic city market before cycling back to Wasena Park.
Bike month proclamations from the Governor and Roanoke City Council were presented. Dana Martin, Commonwealth Transportation board member, presented the Governor’s Bike Month Proclamation. The Mayor, representing Roanoke City Council, presented Roanoke city’s Bike Month Proclamation to Blue Ridge Bicycle Club President, Skip Huffman.
Senator Edwards rode a SHARE BIKE to the Mayor’s monument. Vice Mayor Lea and Valerie Garner rode in the Pedicab pedaled by Ron McCorkle with SHAREBIKE.
Elected officials attending included Senator Edwards, Sheriff Octavia Johnson, Vice Mayor Sherman Lea, and council member Rupert Cutler. Bike Patrol from the City Police and Sheriff’s office led the ride. Fire and EMS support helped “rescue” a few tired riders. Melvin Williams, a candidate running for Delegate Fralin’s seat, rode with his wife Pam Fulgham Williams.
The Mayor announced the July 1 start date for the completions of the Greenway near Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The project should take 120 days. Plans connect the Roanoke River Greenway at 13th Street SE with the Tinker Creek Greenway via a bridge over Roanoke River is planned for the near future. Congressman Goodlatte has secured $5 Million for future flood projects upstream from Wasena Park that will include the Greenway. Bowers also championed connecting the Roanoke River Greenway with Blacksburg’s Huckleberry Trail.
Virginia Bicycling Federation “Bicycling Friendly” awards were presented by the bike club to Dick Howard and Paul Chapman who founded and implemented the Roanoke Valley Mountain Bike Patrol.
Shane Sawyer, Transportation Planner for the Regional Commission and Jerome Holmes, Ride Solutions, are a dynamic duo working to map bicycle routes, update the Bicycle Plan and introduce new bicycle media median’s. Wake Fulp, is the organizer and team manager for the East Coasters/BRBC Jr. Racing Team.
Wes Best, owner of East Coasters, was recognized for his inspiration and financial support for the racing team. Mail-It Plus was recognized for their promotional and logistical support for bicycling activities. Jim Lee was recognized for including bicycle access in Greenway Planning, and River Laker was recognized for going car less and making a big deal of it! Mayor Bowers first bicycle ride was a tremendous success. Everyone looks forward to riding again next year!
Click here to see more pictures, & full-sized versions.
Barbara Duerk
Blue Ridge Bicycle Club Advocacy Chair
2607 Rosalind Ave. S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24014
barbgary@cox.net
540-343-1616 H.
540-580-1621 C.
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