Durham Kicks-Off National Bike Month with Inaugural Ride May 4

Don’t let high gas prices get you down. Grab your bike and helmet and attend any of the following events to celebrate National Bike Month throughout the month of May.

Join the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission at the American Tobacco Main Stage under the Lucky Strike Tower on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. to kick-off National Bike Month. The kick-off event will begin with brief remarks from Durham City Council Member Mike Woodard, Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Chair Scott Carter, League of American Bicyclists Representative Bill Nesper, and East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano.

Those who attend will learn more about alternative commutes to work and can sign up for the Smart Commute Challenge. There will also be giveaway items and prizes, including the new Durham Bike & Hike Map. During this event, the League of American Bicyclists will officially recognize Durham’s designation as a “Bicycle Friendly Community.” Immediately following the program, the Durham Police Department Bicycle Unit will lead a kick-off ride to North Carolina Central University via the American Tobacco Trail and Otis Street. A cyclists’ social will be held at Tyler’s Restaurant after the ride and bicycle parking will be provided.

Additional National Bike Month activities include:

• Sunday, May 1, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Durham Earth Day Festival will be held at Durham Central Park, located at 201 Foster St. Bull City Open Streets will close the streets surrounding the Earth Day Festival from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. to promote biking, walking, and other activities. Free bike valet parking will be provided by the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC).

• Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.

Help East Coast Greenway Alliance celebrate their move to Durham with a 28-mile ride. The ride will begin at the Diamond View Park lawn across Blackwell Street at the American Tobacco Campus and beside the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). For more information, visit www.CrossTriangleGreenway.org/Durham-Greenways-Ride.

• Wednesday, May 11, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

A cyclists’ social will be held at the Sunset Grille, located at 5850 Fayetteville Rd., Suite 101 or mile post 5.75 on the American Tobacco Trail. Cyclists are invited to attend this event and enjoy free food, giveaways, and bike checks provided by REI.

• Sunday, May 15, 6 p.m.

Join the ladies ride hosted by the Durham Bike Co-op. The event will start at the lower level of Durham Bike Co-op, located at 715 Washington St. Men are welcome.

• Monday, May 16, 7:30 a.m. departure

Join the Commuter "Bike Bus" route from the American Tobacco Trail parking lot, located at the corner of Fayetteville Road and Southpoint Crossing Drive to downtown Durham. Cyclists can join the ride at multiple "bus stops" along the trail. Vehicle parking will be available at the trailhead near Southpoint Crossings Shopping Center and at Solite Park.

- 7:30 a.m. “Bike Bus” departs from the trailhead near Southpoint Crossings (Kroger) Shopping Center and Fayetteville Road

- 7:45 a.m. South side of Woodcroft Parkway

- 7:55 a.m. Picnic shelter at Solite Park

- 8 a.m. North side of Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway

- 8:15 a.m. East side of Fayetteville Street (near Fayetteville Street Elementary School)

- 8:30 a.m. Reach trailhead at Morehead Avenue near the American Tobacco Campus

• Wednesday, May 18, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Durham BPAC will sponsor a cyclists’ social at Alivia's Durham Bistro, located at 900 West Main St., Durham. Cyclists are invited to attend this event and enjoy free food and giveaways.

• Friday, May 20, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Attend the Mad Biker's Breakfast at Mad Hatter's Café, located at 1802 W. Main St., Durham. Food and drinks will be provided courtesy of Mad Hatter's and free bike checks will be provided by the Bicycle Chain.

• Sunday, May 22, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Ride your bike to the movies at Casbah, located at 1007 W. Main St. Enjoy both new and vintage bike-themed short films, hosted by Durham Cinematheque and AV Geeks, and sponsored by GoTriangle.

• Wednesday, May 25, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Join Duke University on West Campus for bike maintenance and frame engraving, hosted by Duke Parking and Transportation Services.

For information about biking in Durham, visit the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission website at http://www.bikewalkdurham.org/.