Maui Bicycling League to Hold National Bike Month Events
Non-motorized vehicles welcome!
By Maui Now Staff
The nonprofit Maui Bicycling League will hold a series of events in May to celebrate the 60th annual National Bike Month. MBL is a local chapter of the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League.
National Bike Month, established in 1956 and sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, showcases the many benefits of bicycling and encourages more people to giving biking a try.
“Bicycling is good for your health; it’s a great exercise for all ages,” says Saman Dias, chair of the Maui Bicycling League. “It is also good for your wallet, as it lets you save gas, and it benefits our environment by reducing automobile emissions and reducing traffic on our roads.”
“We want to encourage Maui residents to get out on their bikes and experience the dedicated multi-use pathways and bicycle lanes we already have on the island, and we want people to envision the benefits to the community if there were additional bike lanes and pathways on the island,” explained Cecilia Potts, co-chair of Maui Bicycling League.
To encourage cycling among all ages groups and ability levels, MBL is hosting several group bicycle rides during the month of May:
May 11 to 15 — Bike to Work Week
Maui Bicycling League will hold prize drawings for Maui residents who ride their bike to work one or more times during this week. Items donated by Krank Cycles and other local businesses will be offered as prizes. To submit an entry, learn more or donate prizes, go online.
May 17 — West Maui Bike Ride
This free guided ride–8 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, will depart from Paradise Grill in Kāʻanapali. A no-host breakfast will follow at Paradise Grill. The ride is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise, Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset and Maui Bicycling League. More details are available online.
May 23 — Ride of Silence
The Ride of Silence will commemorate Kīhei cyclist Karl Hagen, who was killed in 2014 by a pick-up truck driver on the Piʻilani Highway. It it intended to raise awareness about safe driving around cyclists. The ride will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, and will start at the entrance of Mokulele Bike Pathway near Target. Riders will ride on the pathway to Kīhei and back. Riders are asked to wear white and respectfully ride in silence. For more information, go online.
May 31 — Central Maui Bike Ride
The Central Maui Bike ride begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, at the Kaunoa Senior Center. The mostly flat course is ideal for families and beginners. Riders will ride on the pathway and roadway shoulder to Island Grocery in Kahului and back. An optional ride to Baby Beach in Sprecklesville is also available.
The MBL also is preparing public service announcements and educational programs to educate both bicyclists and drivers about safely sharing our roadways. A free bike safety program at Kalama School will be offered by Krank Cycles, with support from MBL.
For more information about the scheduled events and the Maui Bicycling League, go online.
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