PORT TOWNSEND — A handful of riders came out Monday despite the rain to kick off National Bike Month with a ride around Port Townsend’s trail system.
“May 1 kicks off a whole month of bicycle events nationally for bike month,” said Lys Burden, a member of Local 2020.
Monday was the first ever May Day Bike Fest, sponsored by Local 2020’s Transportation Action Group, and was also a celebration of Port Townsend’s status as a silver class bike friendly city.
Port Townsend received that status from the League of American Bicyclists four years ago. That status has been renewed for another four years and a small award ceremony and the reading of the Bike Month proclamation was scheduled for Monday night’s Port Townsend City Council meeting.
“Port Townsend is one of only 17 cities in Washington state that’s bicycle friendly,” said Steve Durrant, a board member for the League of American Bicyclists who came to participate in Monday’s ride.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve ridden in Port Townsend, but I haven’t done much so this will be good.”
Monday’s rain kept many people from the afternoon ride, Burden said, but four local riders came out for the event despite the weather.
“This is my second ride today so I already rode in the rain once, why not again,” said Jack McCreary. “I ride here every day and it’s great. I love it.”
The riders rode just a few of Port Townsend’s 33 miles of trails, including the Valley Trail, Fort Worden, North Beach and the new Sewer Line trail.
“All of that is a result of the volunteer labor of our trail crews,” Burden said.
Local 2020 is a nonprofit that tackles local issues from emergency preparedness to promoting local food. This event was created by the Local 2020 Transportation Lab.
“We’re advocating for walking and bike riding,” Burden said. “We’re trying to get more community involvement to make change on the city level.”
Burden said those changes include more access for bikers and walkers in Port Townsend by connecting trail systems and marking bike lanes, among other initiatives.
“We want people to get excited about active transportation,” Burden said.
“The weather isn’t cooperating today, but in subsequent years, we’d like to have more events and hopefully more people.”
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
