SPRINGDALE — The Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and improving cycling in Southern Utah invites the public to attend the “All About the Bike” festival and summit.
The festival and summit will be held Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at the Canyon Community Center, 126 Lion Blvd. in Springdale. Its purpose is all about spreading bike love and helping the community come together to improve cycling and promote it as a viable mode of transportation, fitness and fun.
This is the third summit of its kind held in Southern Utah and this year, Kai Reed, board secretary for Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance, said, they are expanding it to include the bike festival.
Hear from the Dixie Municipal Planning Organization on the most current bike plan. Find out the results of the Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance’s bike and pedestrian survey. And learn how the bicycle alliance and other organizations are working to create better cycling infrastructures in the communities of Southern Utah.
Bring a bike and check out Springdale’s new 3-mile singletrack trail or ride through Zion National Park.
The shuttles are still running in the park on weekends, Reed said, so now is a good time to take advantage of low traffic volumes and see the park by bicycle.
The festival will offer something fun for everyone including an adult skills course similar to that used by St. George Police bicycle patrol, food trucks, music, a flat-tire changing contest and a bike swap.
The bike swap is free for participants who want to bring their bicycles, bike gear and clothing and, Reed said, their best bargaining skills, to sell and trade used gear.
Representatives from the Tour of Utah, Utah’s prestigious cycling stage race, will give a behind the scenes look at the tour and the day will finish off with a film festival called “Bike Love” which will feature short films all about the positive effects of riding on two wheels.
“It is a great way to bring cyclists together,” Reed said. “There is such a great energy.”
The summit and festival are free to attend and Reed encourages everyone to come out and participate in this fun event.
Schedule of events
- 1 p.m. | Welcome
- 1:15 p.m. | Bicycle planning, it’s good for all of us: Introduction of the Municipal Planning Organization Bike Plan | Myron Lee, Dixie Municipal Planning Organization
- 1:40 p.m. | How good of a job do we think we are doing: Results of the alliance bicycle and pedestrian survey | Kye Nordfelt, Southwest Utah Public Health Department
- 2:05 p.m. | Tour of Utah: Behind the Scenes of the Tour of Utah
- 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Festival: Bike swap, adult skills course, food trucks, music, rides and demos
- 3-3:15 p.m. | How to teach your kids to ride safe | Arthur LeBaron
- 3:30-3:45 p.m. | Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance update | Craig Shanklin, board president
- 4-4:30 p.m. | Flat tire contest
- 4:35-5 p.m. | Film Festival: “Bike Love” | Celebrate the love of two wheels with these short, positive bike movies
About the Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance
A portion of the mission statement for the alliance states:
The Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance envisions a bicycle rich future for southern Utah. Within 20 years southern Utah will become a community where:
- Bicycling is recognized as a viable means of transportation, and the significant benefits of bicycling are valued by the community as a whole
- Bicyclists are treated with respect and courtesy by other road uses, and extend the same respect and courtesy in return
- Bicyclists, local governments, UDOT, and other road users all work cooperatively to ensure safety and efficiency for all forms of transportation
- Bicycling for competition, recreation, exercise, and transportation is safe, convenient, and enjoyable
- Southern Utah is a premier destination for recreational and competitive bicycling, benefitting the local economy
- A significant share of all transportation is accomplished via bicycle, thus reducing traffic congestion and air pollution
- School children have a safe option to ride bicycles to school, helping to promote childhood health and lifelong active lifestyles
Alliance members form a really diverse group of people, Reed said. They represent the whole community and are well positioned to make a difference both for cyclists in the community and visitors to the area.
Event details
- What: Southern Utah Bike Summit
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 1-5 p.m.
- Where: Canyon Community Center, 126 Lion Blvd., Springdale
- Cost: Free
- Web page: “All About the Bike” Festival and Summit | Website: Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance
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