BikeWalkBG has been busy with installing multiple bike racks, providing bike education sessions at local schools and events, coordinating monthly bike rides, and the establishment of the BWBG Walking Club.
Bike Racks Installed
With Flexible Neighborhood Grant funds secured in 2023, BikeWalkBG/City County Planning Commission were able to purchase a collection of bike racks as well as a set of air pump and FixIt repair station for community usage. Bowling Green Parks & Rec generously poured concrete pads and installed all the equipment this spring. Look for bright green racks at these parks: Lampkin, Preston Miller, Pedigo, Covington Woods, as well as Parker Bennett Community Center and River Walk. Racks will be installed at Jennings Creek trail once other projects are completed there. The air pump and repair station are at Preston Miller Park next to the outdoor fitness area. These racks will allow the community to use alternative transportation and park their bikes securely at local resources.
In the spring semester of 2024, BikeWalkBG started Bike Education classes for some local city and county 4th graders. Community volunteers and staff from BikeWalkBG, Warren County Parks & Rec, and the Barren River District Health Department team up to present during a PE class. Bikes, helmets, and other equipment are brought to the schools, and a “bike rodeo”, or obstacle course, are set up on site. Children are taught some basic bike safety, including hand signals, helmet fitting, and ABC (air, brakes, chain) bike readiness checks, along with the benefits of living an active lifestyle. Then students are geared up and get to enjoy riding the course by maneuvering the bikes, practicing hand signals, observing traffic signs, navigating a round-about, and interacting with other bike and pedestrian traffic. A safe and fun environment gives the 4th graders an opportunity to practice bike handling while exposing them to real-world traffic situations.
Community Bike Rides
Local bike riders of varying skill levels have joined up several times this year to cruise together on local streets, greenways, and park trails. White Squirrel Brewery hosted a St. Patrick’s Day ride that led riders out to Beech Bend Park. Participants showed their spirit by wearing festive green gear. Our Earth Day themed ride in April was met with gorgeous weather! And in late May, some of our local officials, including Judge-Executive Gorman, Deputy Judge-Exec Downing, and Commissioner Beasley-Brown, joined BikeWalkBG staff to get a first-hand experience riding on local bike lanes and greenways. Riding the existing infrastructure lets you appreciate the facilities we have and also see the need for more safe routes for cyclists, both for transportation and leisure.
Walking Club
Participants of the inaugural 2023 Winter Walking Club didn’t want the fun and exercise to end, so we evolved into the BWBG Walking Club. Special guest Suzanne from Rehabilitation & Performance Institute came out for a presentation on healthy aging this spring. The group still meets weekly on Fridays at noon at Fountain Square Park for a casual stroll and conversation, exploring the downtown streets and alleys. No registration is required, and all are welcome to participate.
Upcoming Events
Join us for any of our upcoming events, in partnership with Warren County Parks and Recreation! We encourage you to get your bike ready and find new ways you can incorporate cycling (or walking) into your daily or weekly routines.
- BWBG Walking Club | Fountain Square Park | Each Friday | Noon
- SoKY Cycling Club @ NCM Motorsports Park | Trek at the Track | Each Tuesday through August 27 | 6pm-7pm
- Bike Rodeo/Repair Clinic | SoKY Marketplace – 636 Center St, Bowling Green, KY 42101 | Thursday, August 1 | 4-5pm.
