Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation -

ACCT is coordinating a series of community events to celebrate Bike Week, May 17th - 23rd. Bike Week is about spreading enthusiasm for the potential of bicyling to improve ourselves, our community, and our environment.

Have some fun on your bike this week!

Wednesday, May 19th

Ride of Silence
7 PM | Charlottesville High School

In the 7th annual International Ride of Silence, cyclists around the world will convene for local memorial rides to honor those injured or killed while bicycling. Bike Charlottesville is organizing Charlottesville's event, which will travel at a slow pace, escorted by police, through UVa and downtown before returing to CHS. Partipants should arrive by 630 PM, and will need to register beforehand on BikeReg at http://www.bikereg.com/events/ register.asp?eventid=10955, or sign a waiver at the event.

Thursday, May 20th

Bike Counts
If you don't count, you don't count! Bike counts are the most effective means to demonstrate bicyclists' presence on our roads, and the first step to understanding where, why, and how bicyclists travel in the city. This is the second round of ACCT's year-long bicycle count study.

Volunteer counters are needed during the morning (7:30-9:30 AM) and afternoon (4:30-6:30 PM) rush hour! It's alot of fun, and a HUGE help to our bicycling advocacy efforts!

ACCT will provide free bicycle helmets to anyone who needs them, along with instruction on fitting and proper usage. Information on safe bicyling habits will also be distributed with each helmet.

Friday, May 21st

Bike to Work Day Pit Stops
7:30-9:30 AM and 4:30-6:30 PM | W. Main St. and Market St.

Ride your bike to work and stop by one of our "energizer stations" for a quick snack, a steamy cup of joe, good company, or some of the latest gear from Blue Wheel Bicycles.

"Need to Know" Bicycling Clinic - Making City Riding Enjoyable
11 AM to 12 PM | UVA Clemons Library, Room 407 (**change from Alderman)

As part of National Bike-to-Work Day, ACCT and Community Bikes' team of League of American Bicyclists certified instructors will hold an information session on making bicycle riding and commuting in Charlottesville safe and fun. The topics covered will include proper equipment, safety inspections, skills, commuting, and best practices. Bicyclists of all abilities and skill levels are encouraged to attend.

"Share the Road" Interactive Performance
6 PM | East End of the Downtown Mall

***POSTPONED FOR A LATER DATE!***

Using street theatre techniques, a troupe of safety-minded and friendly clowns will invite passersby to move through a mock intersection in different, respectful ways. This playful and creative event will ease tensions among different road users and educate citizens of all ages about important safety strategies.

** Want to be a clown in the performance?! Clown training is on Sunday, May 16th at McGuffey Arts Center at 5 PM. Contact kristina.nellweaver@gmail.com.

Saturday, May 22nd

Kidical Mass Family Bike Ride
Tonsler Park
10:30 AM - Quick tips on biking with kids with Shelly Stern, staff for ACCT, local parent and bicyclist.
11:00 AM - Family friendly group ride from Tonsler Park, approx.
1 1/2 miles looping around downtown, picnic at park to follow.

Bring some food to share and bring your family and friends. Leisurely pace. Call 882-1516 with questions or e-mail shelly@transportationchoice. org

What are the most important projects that would make the Charlottesville area safer and more convenient for bicycling? Bicyclists will converge at a community brainstorming session to answer this question. Coordinated by ACCT and Bike Charlottesville, this is the first step in developing an action plan to get a "Silver" Bicycling Friendly Community rating in 2012.

The evening will also include valet bike parking, door prizes, a casual wine social, updates from local trails planners, and a slideshow on inspiring international bicycle projects.

If you can't make the event, send your suggestions for making the Charlotteville area more bike-friendly to mlafferty@embarqmail.com.

Every year, hundreds of touring cyclists pass through Charlottesville on this route that connects Yorktown, VA and Astoria, OR. This year, ACCT and the City of Charlottesville worked with state and national organizations to update the route and to finally get signs up in town. Come celebrate this little-know local treasure with the Virginia Bicycling Federation as they stop for lunch on their Annual Cross-State Ride. At the event, donations will taken to support the Adventure Cycling Association's exciting effort to build the US Bicycle Route System.