10th annual Bike, Walk and Wheel Week to begin Saturday

COLUMBIA— Despite the loss of funds from GetAbout Columbia, the 10th annual Bike, Walk and Wheel Week will include many of the same events as in previous years.

The Health Department and Columbia Parks and Recreation have partnered with PedNet Coalition to organize this year's events, which are set to begin Saturday.

“We’re doing it on a shoe-string budget,” Stacia Reilly, health promotion coordinator, said on Monday.

This year, staff came together to organize the week of events, and the three agencies have mainly used their websites to advertise, Reilly said.

“It’s become such a well-known event promoting active transportation and so many people have participated in past years that the city considers it an important event that many people look forward to,” Reilly said.  

Bike, Walk and Wheel Week T-shirts won’t be available, but the 5K Walk/Run and 10K Bike Ride on Saturday will have T-shirts for those who participate.

The scheduled events are meant to encourage Columbia residents to build physical activity into their daily routines.

Breakfast Station Day will remain one of the essential parts of Bike, Walk and Wheel Week with stations located at 11 different places around the city.

Here’s a summary of some of the other main events for the week. For a more complete and detailed list, visit PedNet's website about the event.

Saturday, May 14

Kids Bicycle Safety Challenge

• 10 a.m. to noon at Shelter Insurance, 1817 W. Broadway
• Children between kindergarten and fifth grade will have the opportunity to bring in their bikes for a free inspection and participate in safety challenge games where prizes will be awarded.

Monday, May 16

MKT Secret Access Trail Ride

• 6 p.m. at the Flat Branch Gazebo, Fourth and Cherry streets
• Helmets are required for cyclists participating in this 20-mile round-trip ride.

Adults Learn to Ride Class

• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Armory
• The class will be $25 per person; register online at pednet.org.

Wednesday, May 18

Family Fun Fest – Fitness is Fun

•  6 to 8 p.m. at Flat Branch Park
• This event, sponsored by the Activity and Recreation Center, will include demonstrations and hands-on activities related to staying fit.
• Mayor Bob McDavid will read the Let’s Move Cities and Towns proclamation in celebration of Bike, Walk and Wheel Week.

Thursday, May 19

Try Transit Day 

• Residents can ride city buses all day for free.

Bike Maintenance Workshop

• 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at Walt’s Bicycle and Fitness and Wilderness Co., 1217 Rogers St.

Friday, May 20

Breakfast Station Day

• Columbia residents who bike or walk to work or school from 7 to 9 a.m. have the opportunity to receive a free breakfast at any of the 11 breakfast stations located through the city.

 Saturday, May 21

Trails Day

• 5K Walk/Run and 10K Bike Ride starting at 9 a.m. at the MKT Trail Access, 800 S. Stadium Boulevard
• This event is free and will not be timed. No registration is required. Participants will receive a free T-shirt for the event.