Merced cyclists to celebrate National Bike Month

Merced’s bicycle enthusiasts are planning three events for anybody who doesn’t need training wheels to ride a bike during May, National Bike Month.

The first two events – the All-Merced Bike Ride and Bike to Work Day – have been observed in Merced for several years. But this year will be the first appearance of the Directors Ride, a celebration of the city’s bike paths that includes public employees.

Children are welcome to all the events, if accompanied by an adult, but training wheels are not. Bicycle helmets are required attire.

Merced has almost 63 miles of bike paths and lanes, and the 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan is expected to more than double that.

“We are really blessed,” said David Gonzalves, the director of Development Services for Merced. “We have an outstanding bike system.”

Gonzalves, who has recently become an avid cyclist, said he picked up the hobby for its health benefits. He also organized the first-time ride.

The city has plans for $3.5 million in lanes, racks, shelters and other features for cyclists. Some of those have already been installed.

Gonzalves said he expects to see leaders from the city of Merced, Merced County, Merced College and UC Merced at the first-time ride. Riders will get a chance to share their thoughts and complaints about the city’s biking system.

“Hopefully, they’ll have ideas about things they’d like to see,” he said.

All of the Bike Month events promote physical fitness and an effort to improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

But, before the first-time ride are two Merced traditions

Sunday

The sixth annual All-Merced Road Ride features three distance options.

Cyclists will head up G Street to Snelling Road. From there riders may choose to head to La Paloma Road and back, to the Merced River and back or to the Snelling countryside and back.

Food and drinks are offered at the start and at points along the route.

Registration is at 8 a.m. and pedals start spinning at 9 a.m. Sunday at Kevin’s Bikes, 60 W. Olive Ave.

May 7

People are asked to try to go without a car for one day during Bike to Work and School Day on May 7.

Five so-called “energizer stations” are planned around town to offer free food, drinks, T-shirts and goodies to bicycling commuters.

The stations are planned at Bob Hart Square, Main and Canal streets; Golden Valley Health Center, N Street and Childs Avenue; and UC Merced’s Recreation Center at the 5200 Lake Road campus. Mercy Medical Center will offer two stations – one at G Street and Mercy Drive, and the other at M and 27th streets.

May 9

The Directors Ride, led by Gonzalves, is a 90 minute, eight-mile ride to feature a tour of the city’s bike paths and lanes, with a rest stop at Rahilly Park, 3400 N. Parsons Ave.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. May 9 outside the Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St. The biking begins at 10 a.m.

The ride is expected to be fairly easy with snacks and a drawing.

For more information on any of the rides, go to www.mercedbicyclecoalition.org, or send an email to info@mercedbicyclecoalition.org.

This story was originally published April 27, 2015 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Merced cyclists to celebrate National Bike Month."