Children enjoying the new bike lanes on East Liberty Blvd during the 2009 Beyond Bikes Day.  Click on the photo for a great slideshow from the event.

A free family bike extravaganza

On Saturday, May 29, the second annual Beyond Bikes Day will roll all over the East End, centered at the Kingsley Association Community Center.  The Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club, in conjunction with their Tour of the ‘Hood, will provide cycling basics rides, some of which will go through six East End neighborhoods.

Beyond Bikes Day will showcase some of the bike lanes in Pittsburgh’s East End and help families by providing new opportunities to get outside together.  Rides of three different lengths, all under 30 minutes long, will leave every 20 minutes.  Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets, but a limited number of loaner bikes will also be available. Raffle prizes, including kids’ bikes and biking gear, will be given away at the end of the event.  For kids with their own bikes or who are curious to learn, bike safety inspections will be provided by Bike Pittsburgh and Free Ride Youth Programs.

“Fifteen years ago, when I was living on Carver Street, there were no bike lanes anywhere nearby.  I just rode up and down Meadow, in front of my grandparents house. If I had the opportunity to learn to ride around the neighborhood with experienced adult mentors teaching me, I think I would have come to embrace the value of people power and outdoor activity earlier,” reflected Von Singletary, Venture Outdoors

Venture Outdoors, who seek to transform the Pittsburgh region into a place where the outdoors is an integral part of our culture, our identity and our lifestyle, brings this event to the public as part of their Family and Community Programs Initiative in collaboration with the Kingsley Association and local biking and outdoors advocates.  The initiative seeks to increase diversity among participants in Venture Outdoors programs and increase leadership opportunities for minorities within the outdoors community.

Click on the above image to see the full flyer

“Fifteen years ago, when I was living on Carver Street, there were no bike lanes anywhere nearby.  I just rode up and down Meadow, in front of my grandparents house. If I had the opportunity to learn to ride around the neighborhood with experienced adult mentors teaching me, I think I would have come to embrace the value of people power and outdoor activity earlier,” reflected Von Singletary, now Families Community Programs Specialist at Venture Outdoors.

“So I’m especially excited to have a hand in providing this year’s event in East Liberty.”

“Last year, just 20 minutes after the event, 18 youth went riding down Larimer Avenue as a group. I thought that was pretty cool,” remembered Keino Fitzpatrick of the Kingsley Association.

Event Info:

Beyond Bikes Day

• Saturday, May 29 – 12pm-3pm
• Kingsley Association Community Center, 6435 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
• The event is sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Healthy snacks will be provided by Whole Foods.  For more information, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564.

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