About 30 people of of all ages participated in the Saturday, April 30 Family Fun Bike Ride along the Pennsy Trail. The ride was held in conjunction with the Irvington Historical Society’s exhibit More than a Trail. . . Pennsy. The exhibit features recent photographs by Ana Ferreira and information on the history and development of the trail from Indian trail to Centerville Road to Pennsylvania Railroad to current use as a trail. The exhibit is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave. The ride was sponsored in conjunction with Bike Indianapolis which hopes to offer more family fun bike rides in the Irvington area this summer. For more information on upcoming Irvington bicycle events, contact trent@bikeindianapolis.org.
The ride and exhibit couldn’t come at a better time. As the weather improves, bicyclists from all over will be on the roads and trails in greater numbers. The quiet, winding streets of Irvington are great for cyclists to warm up for the longer rides sure to come this summer. Bike Indianapolis will host a number of events in the coming weeks, including a Bike Party on Friday, May 13 from 7-9 p.m. at South Street Square, 315 E. South St. for a gathering for riders. In addition, Bicycle Garage Indy and Bike Indianapolis are hosting and Indianapolis Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. (registration is required online at ridewithgps.com/events) to honor bicyclists killed and injured in 2021. The route will include 86th and the Monon, a high-traffic intersection which needs safety improvements. The ride begins at the Bicycle Garage North, 4340 E, 82nd St. Visit bikeindianapolis.org for more information about membership and events.
Bike to Work day is Friday, May 20 beginning at 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., ending at Monument Circle. This annual ride draws hundreds of riders from across the city.
As there are more bicycles on the road, it is important for drivers to follow the rules of the road, giving cyclists the respect they deserve. Many streets now have dedicated bike lanes, some of which are physically separated from vehicles. In addition to dedicated bike lanes, the many greenways and trails in the city afford bike riders a safe and eco-friendly way to commute to work downtown or to destinations such as Broad Ripple and the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
