On Saturday, May 21, 2022, beginning at 9 AM, the Mayors of the City of Portage and the City of Kalamazoo will lead an 8-mile bike ride to commemorate Kalamazoo Bike Week. The event will start at Bicentennial Park on Milham Avenue. Refreshments will be served after the bike tour. The Mayor’s Ride is FREE to the public but requires pre-registration by May 19 at mypark.portagemi.gov.
Kalamazoo Bike Week was initiated in 2012 to raise cycling awareness, promote the use of cycling as a means of transportation, and explore the possibilities cycling has to offer. Organizers aim to celebrate bicycling and the many benefits bicycling brings to the Kalamazoo / Portage community and promote cycling advocacy, awareness, and education.
Portage Mayor Patricia M. Randall and Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson will celebrate the area’s commitment to the joys of bicycling by participating in this fun event. “Kalamazoo Bike Week promotes a healthier lifestyle through biking.” said Mayor Randall. “The Mayor’s Ride symbolizes the connection between the two major cities.”
Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson encourages everyone to join the Mayor’s Ride. “We hope you’ll join Mayor Randall and me for this great tradition,” said Anderson. “Riding together helps connect us and lets us see and interact with our communities in a different way than when we’re in a car. Biking is healthy, it’s good for the planet, and did I mention it’s really fun?”
This ride comes after Kalamazoo Bike Week and will highlight portions of the planned inter-jurisdictional Southwest Michigan Bikeway, the Portage trail and bike lane system, bike lanes and routes in Kalamazoo, and a scenic overlook of the proposed Kalamazoo-Portage trail connection along Portage Creek. "The ride is a great way to experience many types of bicycling amenities in our community and interact with the Mayors on a casual, easy-paced ride." said Paul Selden, Chair of Bike Week.
Participants will be asked to sign a release form and be required to wear a helmet. While a good portion of the route is made up of off-road trails or pathways, some of the route uses paved shoulder bicycle lanes adjacent to city streets and may not be suitable for young children. For event updates please be sure to check “The Mayor’s Ride” City of Portage Facebook event @CityOfPortageMI.
