Maui Bicycling League to Host Free Family Ride, April 23

Bike Ride on Airport Access Road. (8.4.2015) File photo credit: County of Maui.

As an early kick-off to next month’s “National Bike Month,” the Maui Bicycling League will hold a family bike ride on the Northshore Greenway starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016.

The group ride is free and open to the public, and is suitable for recreational riders, beginners and families.

There will be a trained MBL ride leader at the front and a trained MBL leader who will trail behind the group. Organizers say no riders will be left behind.

Riders are asked to arrive at 8:45 a.m. to sign a waiver and get prepared for the ride. Participants should meet in the parking lot of Kaunoa Senior Center (at 401 Alakapa Place, between Kahului and Pāʻia). If parking a vehicle at the Kaunoa Senior Center, participants are asked to please park in the areas that are farthest from the building, to leave spaces near the building for seniors attending programs at the center that day.

At 9 a.m., MBL leaders will demonstrate basic hand signals and rider safety tips, including an “ABC Quick Check” for riders to learn about air, brakes, chain and quick release safety.

The ride route is as follows:  Beginning at Kaunoa Senior Center parking lot, the group will ride on the Northshore Greenway (protected bike path) behind the airport and stop at Kanahā Beach Park. The rider will then return to Kaunoa Senior Center (approximately 3.6 miles round trip). If some participants wish to ride a bit farther, the group can ride the designated bike route along Makahiki Street to “Baby Beach” and then back to Kaunoa Senior Center which is an additional 1.6 miles round trip.

All riders must wear bicycle helmets and provide their own refreshments. Also, riding with earbuds (for listening to music) is not allowed on MBL rides for safety reasons.

The ride on April 23 is MBL’s second group ride in 2016. The group plans to host rides regularly for different skill levels.

National Bike Month takes place in May, and works to raise awareness nationally about the many ways bicycling benefits health, the environment and communities.

Also as part of National Bike Month, MBL will hold a Ride of Silence on May 21, a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Details can be found on the Maui Bicycling League website.

All organized rides are free for MBL members. Non-members and visitors are invited to join the ride but are asked to consider joining MBL or make a small donation to help fund the organization’s efforts for more bicycle pathways and bike lanes on Maui.

Interested participants are asked to RSVP for the April 23 family ride by sending an e-mail to [email protected].