National Bike Month In Davidson: Event Details

DAVIDSON, NC — Don’t be surprised if you see more bikes around town this month. It’s National Bike Month and the Town of Davidson is planning a calendar of events to mark the occasion, from a bike-to-school day to hosting the Lake Norman Bike Expo.

“Creating a community where you can safely walk and bike improves not only our quality of life but reduces congestion by providing transportation alternatives,” said Travis Johnson, Davidson’s senior planner.

Here’s a list of events planned throughout the month of May:

Saturday, May 5:

• Bike or Walk to Town Day: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Say event organizers: “Join us for Town Day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 on the town green. Ride your bike and park it in the ‘Bike Corral’ near the Town of Davidson’s booth. Visit the Town of Davidson’s booth to see the E.L.F(Electric Light Fun bicycle) and learn about the town’s participation in the pedestrian and bicyclist safety campaign, Watch for Me NC.”

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Wednesday, May 9:

• National Bike to School Day (Please check with your school for specific details -- many gatherings in various locations around town begin at 7:45 a.m.). Police officers and volunteers will be stationed at key intersections to ensure safety throughout town.

• Davidson Elementary School: Say event organizers: “Families are invited to form a “walking school bus” and travel from their neighborhoods to school. Several drop-off locations will be supported by community volunteers during the morning of May 9:

• Volunteers will be available on the Davidson town green. Parents may drop off children at the town green from 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. to walk (not bike) to school with volunteers. Volunteers and student walkers will leave the town green promptly at 8:15 a.m.
• Families may join a “walking school bus” or drop students off at the Ada Jenkins Center’s basketball court area (212 Gamble Street) from 7:45 – 8:00 a.m. to walk to school. Volunteers and students will leave promptly at 8:00 a.m.
• Volunteers will be stationed at the beginning and end of the greenway on Avinger Lane (near The Pines) and South Street between 7:45 – 8:20 a.m.”

• Community School of Davidson (CSD): Local families are encouraged to walk or bike to school. There will be a “walking school bus” at Roosevelt Wilson Park (420 Griffith Street) – students and volunteers will meet between7:40 – 7:55 a.m. and then walk to the CSD lower school (kindergarten through seventh grade). Students will also participate by walking during P.E. classes.
• Davidson Green School: Volunteers, teachers, and students will meet at the town green between 8:15 – 8:30 a.m.and then walk to school.
• Lake Norman Christian: Elementary and middle school students will meet at the town green between 7:30 – 7:45 a.m. Volunteers and students will leave promptly at 7:45 a.m.

Thursday, May 10:

• Davidson Mobility Plan: Presentation - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Motor Vehicle Connections: 6:00 p.m. at the Davidson United Methodist Church (DUMC), Davidson, N.C. Say event organizers: “This event will include presentations on bicycle facilities, pedestrian facilities, and roadway connections with a panel of topic experts from The Town of Davidson, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Each presenter will give a brief presentation on their topic that will be followed by a question and answer session. Following the question and answer session there will be a group activity.”

Saturday, May 12:

• Lake Norman Bike Expo: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Community Ride: on-site registration begins at 8:00 a.m., ride: 8:30 – 10 a.m.
• Family Ride: on-site registration begins at 10 a.m., ride: 10:30 – 11 a.m.
• Location: Davidson Parks and Recreation, 865 South St. in Davidson

Say event organizers, “The Lake Norman Bike Expo event will feature bike demos from area bike shops, educational opportunities regarding bike safety and maintenance, and information about the best places to ride your bike in the Lake Norman/North Mecklenburg region. Davidson Parks & Recreation will have its solar-electric E.L.F. bike on display and Bikin’ Dads Adventures, will host a kids’ bike rodeo course. The Town of Cornelius will have information on new greenways and how to safely navigate around town on your bike. The bike expo will be open 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join the fun early by showing up for the Community Ride. On-site registration starts at 8 a.m. The Community Bike Ride starts at 8:30 a.m., a 10-mile ride (age 14+ with adult), and the Family Bike Ride will leave at 10:30 a.m.

May 14-18:

• National Bike to Work Week — Say event organizers, “Please consider riding your bike to work the week of May 14-18. Many employers are offering incentives, so check with your human resources departments for details. We also encourage citizens to ride bikes to any destination, especially downtown and the Circles@30 for shopping, errands, etc.

• Learn more about the Family Bike Ride with the Spirited Cyclist Bike Shop on May 17, or sign up for the Davidson Tour de Trees ride on May 26, online at the link below or call the Davidson Parks and Recreation Department at 704-892-3349.

All Davidson Bike Month activities can be found here.

Davidson Bike/Walk to School and Bike Month volunteer opportunities may be found here.

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