Vicksburg, in recent years a hub for a fall Bicycle Celebration Weekend organized by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, will be the site of an event for children 5-11 at the Historic Village on May 13. That’s the first day of a county-wide Bike Week ending May 20.
The 9-a.m.-noon event opens at the Gazebo in the Historic Village. It then moves through four nearby stations where kids can get their bikes tuned up by Pedal Bicycle from Portage, get their helmet fitting checked by Safe Kids Kalamazoo County – or get a free helmet while supplies last. They can go on to learn hand signals for road safety, and put the signals to use at a Bike Rodeo in the Trust Shield Insurance parking lot across Richardson, opposite the Museum.
More information for the event can be found on Facebook and on the Society’s website: vicksburghistory.org. Those with more questions can call Leah Richard at 269.649.1733 or e-mail info@vicksburghistory.org.
There is no charge to participate in the event, although donations will be accepted and there may be a charge for some bike repairs.
Cyclists participating in the checkup and rodeo will be given a report card showing their bike is in good shape. The report card must be presented across the street to participate in the rodeo. There, owners will ride the closed course with stop signs, yield signs and an intersection. Volunteers will be at each location.
Other events in Kalamazoo County during the week include a Mayor’s Ride with mayors of Kalamazoo and Portage, safe-riding lessons including how to ride dirt and gravel roads (hint: not on skinny tires) and a show displaying exceptional bikes.
A complete list of events is on the organizer’s site at https://kalamazoobikeweek.org.
Vicksburg through 2022 has been the center of four Fall Bike Celebrations on long weekends in September, organized by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo. They included rides through the Vicksburg Quilt Trail and events showcasing the Farmers Market and the Mill Project. That event is scheduled the weekend of Sept. 17-19, with events planned in Vicksburg and other parts of South County.