National Bike Month rides into Worcester with series of events all month long
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WORCESTER — April showers bring May flowers and May is set to bring more bicyclists on the roads of Worcester County to celebrate National Bike Month.
With warmer temperatures in the forecast, cyclists are dusting off their bikes from winter storage, getting their bikes checked out ahead of the season and putting one foot in front of the other, with help from the Worcester Bike Alliance.
The group was created in January and is a "collaborative effort by the bicycle and transportation groups in Worcester and Worcester County to promote cycling in all its forms."
Dale Wickenheiser, president of the Seven Hills Wheelmen local cycling club, said after speaking with local cyclists, it became clear there needed to be a place where everyone could come together, thus the Worcester Bike Alliance was born.
"There is a lot of desire to make a good community here," he said in an email, adding the group first met at the Major Taylor Museum in January.
"Biking in general has always meant a different way of living, a higher quality of life. We are all born in a box. We live, study, work, eat/get our food, socialize, transport, get sick and spend eternity in boxes. Riding and walking help me live a little differently and that's important to me."
Wickenheiser described Worcester as having a small-town feel, offering a higher quality of life than his former home, Boston. When comparing biking in Boston to that of Worcester he said he interacts more with people and his surroundings.
When it comes to those new to biking or thinking about getting in the saddle, Wickenheiser said like anything new, it can be scary, but with local groups like the Worcester Bike Alliance, there are resources to help you feel more comfortable on two wheels.
Throughout the month, the Worcester Bike Alliance is hosting a number of events to get local cyclists out and about.
Gear Up for Bike Season: A Comprehensive Bike Education Presentation
This information session was created to give bicyclists of all ages an opportunity to learn how to be safer on the roads during biking season. Some of the event will cover skills like how to handle a flat tire and handling biking conditions around the region.
10 a.m. May 4 at the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square
Whether you need a new bike or just new parts, this event gives bicycle enthusiasts the opportunity to swap and sell parts. The event is sponsored by Seven Hills Wheelmen. Worcester Earn-a-Bike will also be on hand providing free bicycle check-ups.
9 a.m. May 11 at 100 Grove St., Worcester
This year's Bike Breakfast is the first since 2015 and brings cyclists from all walks of life to enjoy a complimentary coffee and conversation with other local cyclists.
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. May 15 at Worcester CitySquare (Mercantile and Front streets)
This interactive, multimedia presentation promises to "have you seeing the ubiquitous everyday bicycle in a new way."
May 15 through May 19 at 20 Franklin St., Worcester
Worcester Bay State Bike Month Celebration
This event will celebrate the first riders participating in the Worcester E-Bike Program with snacks, raffles and complimentary bike gear, all accumulating with a group ride. The event is expected to be large and the organization is encouraging anyone planning to attend to RSVP.
PBS documentary showing of 'Major Taylor'
A new documentary created by Indiana Public Media will be shown at the Worcester Public Library in the Saxe room, followed by a panel discussion with the producer and director of the film, Todd Gould. Also on the panel will be Major Taylor's great-granddaughter Karen Brown Donovan and others.
6 p.m. May 22 at the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Bike Alliance celebrates National Bike Month
