Health District supports 2015 Bike Week activities

Several events highlight week-long celebration of National Bike Week.

Bike Week is May 9-15, 2015, and the Washoe County Health District is supporting several local activities because they promote increased physical activity, alternative transportation, and a clean environment. A list of events can be found at www.bikewashoe.org/bike-week/events.

The Washoe County Health District Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) Keep It Clean Rack ‘Em Up program and the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance (TMBA) encourage everyone to ride a bike to work or school, or just try cycling for fun, fitness and transportation. “The events of Bike Week give our community an opportunity to see how fun and easy it is to protect our environment and keep fit,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “Events like the Commuter and the Mayoral Challenges; Ride for Reading; the Coffee Shop Stops; and, the Pancake Feed are fun, free and help keep our air clean and healthy.” 

Another popular event is the Rack ‘Em Up at School Contest.  Prizes will be awarded to the schools with the Best Decorated and Fullest Bike Racks during the week.  Judging will be based on photos sent to AQMD.  To register a school and submit photos, go to www.OurCleanAir.com.

Two new events have been added to the schedule of events. Bike Up to the Drive Up, sponsored all week long by Washoe County Library, encourages library users to ride instead of drive to any of four drive-ups at the Downtown Reno, Northwest Reno, South Valleys and Spanish Springs libraries.  Midtown Monday will feature a wide variety of events beginning at 4 p.m., in the Statewide Lighting parking lot at 1311 S. Virginia Street, including Bike Around Bingo and a chance to win hundreds of dollars of prizes to be awarded at the event’s conclusion.

The Health District estimates that 3.9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented and 290 vehicles stayed off the road during last year’s Bike Week in Washoe County. For more information on event times and locations, or to register for the events, visit www.bikewashoe.org.