PARKERSBURG - About two dozen riders biked to work Friday morning for national Bike to Work Day.
Led by Parkersburg police officers, they took about a half hour to ride from City Park to Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg where they ate from a smorgasboard breakfast provided by the Blennerhassett Hotel.
The day promotes bicycle safety, fitness, alternate means of transportation and conservation.
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Cyclists celebrate Bike to Work Day in Parkersburg
"We're just doing our part," said Greg Garrett, chairman of the Bicycle Advisory Board formed by Mayor Bob Newell.
Nationally, the event was organized by the League of American Voters 17 years ago to promote cycling and is observed around the country.
Locally, participants included riders who work downtown, policemen, members of the Blennerhassett Cycle Club workers and the advisory board. They wore helmets and their bicycles were fitted with other safety acoutrements.
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Riders participating in Bike to Work Day Friday morning approach Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg. They left City Park about 30 minutes prior. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Among those was James Coleman.
"I ride all the time," said Coleman, who works at Public Debt. "It's a great way to get everyone aware that we're on the roads and we have a right to be there."
Sarah Friend works at Camden Clark Medical Center.
"I thought it would be a fun way to get to work and it makes sense," she said.
She's also in training for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure on June 18. The adventure is a week-long crosscountry trek through Ohio, starting and ending in Kenton and going through Bellefontaine, London, Delaware and Marion, from about 300 to 475 miles, depending on routes.
Employees at Camden Clark who rode a bike Friday got free lunch, said Candace Jones, who works for the medical center. Jones is a member of the advisory board.
"It gets bigger every year," Newell said.
Parkersburg city is making strides in its municipal bicycle trails, said Newell, an avid cyclist.
Construction is on the horizon for the Little Kanawha Connector to the North Bend Rail Trail and planning is underway to connect a trail from Depot Street to the new skate park at Fort Neal Park on the south side, he said.
