Get on your bikes and ride! Manatee County encourages residents to ride to work, cycle for fun this May, National Bike Month

Get on your bikes and ride! Manatee County encourages residents to ride to work, cycle for fun this May, National Bike Month
Posted on 05/01/2018

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 1, 2018) – May 14-18 is Bike to Work Week and Manatee County Government is encouraging residents to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness or transportation throughout May, National Bike Month. The County will install three bike repair kiosks around town to promote bicycling and bicycle safety

Deidra Greene-Larkins, Redevelopment & Economic Opportunity department, was one of 20 recipients of the Emerging Cities Champions grant award through 8 80 Cities and the Knight Foundation.

The $5,000 grant will go to install bike repair kiosks to provide cyclists with the tools and equipment they need to make repairs while on the go. The bike repair kiosks will be unveiled to the public at 8:15 a.m. at these locations and dates:

  • DeSoto Bus Station on May 18  
  • Pride Park on May 25 
  • Lincoln Park on May 31 

The County is partnering with the League of American Bicyclists to promote National Bike Month and local residents can enter a bike challenge online at www.lovetoride.net/usa.

Biking to work is an efficient and fun way to get the exercise you need, without having to find extra time to work out," said Bill Nesper, interim executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "And this year, with gasoline prices as high as they are, biking to work makes more sense than ever.

Bicycling experts offer the following tips for a safe commute to work on a bicycle:

  • Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash
  • Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling
  • Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
  • Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
  • Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.