May is Bike Month

Show your support for bicycling in our Berks communities by attending these 2012 Bike Month events.

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Tuesday, May 1 :: Berks County Bike Month Proclamation Ceremony

When? 10:30 am
Where? Berks County Services Building, 633 Court St, Reading
What? Be there as the County Commissioners issue the proclamation to WalkBikeBerks, declaring May Bike Month in all of Berks County.

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Saturday, May 5 :: WBB Bike Rodeo at Youth Safety Day

When? 10 am – 2pm
Where? Lake Drive Recreation Area, Douglassville
What? A day of fun-filled family activities hosted by the Daniel Boone Optimist Club. The focus of this year's event will be bicycle safety. Kids in grades K-8 can register to win a bike. Download a flyer.

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Friday, May 18 :: Bike to Work Day

When? 7:00 am
Where? Brentwood Trailhead of the Thun Trail, just off of Rte 10 near Millmont (see map right)
What? Join us at the Brentwood Trailhead at 7:00am (ride begins at 7:15) and ride with the pack, including Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer and Rep. David Maloney, to the Bike to Work Day ceremony at the Berks County Services Building (ceremony begins at 7:45am with address by Sen. Judy Schwank). The easy ride of approximately 2 miles will be escorted by police and promises to be a fun, visible way to promote bicycling in Greater Reading.

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Saturday, May 19 :: Bicycle Basics Class

When? 8:30 am
Where? Upland Center Community Room, Alvernia University, 540 Upland Ave, Reading
What? Learn effective cycling techniques with League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor and WBB Board member, Benton Levengood. The primary focus of the class will be bicycle maintenance: learn to change tires, adjust brakes and gears, maintain and replace chains.  Bring your bicycle and helmet.

There is no fee for this class, but a voluntary, tax-deductible donation of $20 to WalkBikeBerks per individual or family will be greatly appreciated.  PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:  email blevengood@walkbikeberks.org or call 717-449-4474.  Class size is limited to 10 students.

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Unwalkable America

From Tom Vanderbilt's Slate Column, America's Pedestrian Problem:

"This failure to plan for anyone on foot is just one of a number of shortcomings of our overbuilt, undermaintained road network that are coming into relief. In Orlando parents of children who live closer than two miles to school are worried about looming cuts in bus service due to budget constraints. There is even concern about those who face a relatively short walk of 100 yards to catch a bus. Why? Because the environment was not built to accommodate anyone walking—there are no sidewalks and only poor crossings amid fast-moving traffic. Elsewhere, schools built without sidewalks scramble for funding as students walk in the ditches beside busy roads. In South Jordan, Utah, a woman was cited with child neglect for allowing her son to walk to school. Why was he walking? Because the school had eliminated its “hazardous bus routes.” What’s a hazardous bus route? A bus route meant to pick up kids who live in areas without sidewalks. There is child neglect going on here, for sure, but it’s the neglect of a system in which children within walking distance of school cannot actually do so." 

Read the full article.

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Asked how they would like to see the Business 222 corridor improved, Muhlenberg Township residents listed walkability as a priority.

WBB participated in the development planning meeting last week.  Thanks to the Reading Eagle for this coverage.

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