Ride with Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and two former mayors, Allan Kauffman and Mike Puro, on Monday, May 23, to kick off Bicycle-to-Work Week. Goshen’s Bicycle-to-Work Week is May 23–27, and the Maple City Bicycle Advisory Committee (MCBAC) is encouraging people in Goshen to consider the possibility of biking to work that week.
As a way to kick off the week, the MCBAC has asked the Mayor Stutsman lead an after-work “Mayors’ Ride” on Monday, May 23. Stutsman has expanded the ride so it is hosted by he and former mayors Puro and Kauffman. Any interested cyclist is welcome to join the 4.5 mile ride. The most recent Mayor’s Ride attracted about 30 riders.
The Mayor’s Ride will start at 5:15 p.m. from the parking lot east of City Hall, 202 South Fifth Street, proceed south to the Goshen dam pond, return north on the Mill Race Trail and end at The Chief. The Ride is free, and no advanced registration is necessary. If there is a threat of rain, a cancellation will be posted on the City’s Facebook page by 4:30 p.m.
“To celebrate the Bike-to-Work Week kick-off ride, I have invited Kauffman and Puro to join me as co-leaders. This is to acknowledge their work as pioneers of Goshen’s extensive, award-winning Maple City Bike and Pedestrian Trails. Their vision and commitment to providing the social and physical benefits of the trail system has made today’s 30 miles of trails a reality. Their forethought has brought together men, women and children of diverse generations, backgrounds and cultures as they enjoy the trails. All are invited to ride along on this Bike-to-Work Week ride.” said Mayor Jeremy Stutsman.
The purpose of Bicycle-to-Work week is to encourage people to leave their cars at home for a week and try cycling instead. “For trips of less than two miles, it’s often faster to go by bicycle than by car in the city,” said Stutsman. “We hope people will ‘test the water’ of bicycle commuting next week and enjoy the exercise and not having to pay the high price of gas.”
The MCBAC is a partnership between dedicated residents and City employees to address bicycle-related issues covering recreation, commerce, transportation, parking, and safety.
The League of American Bicyclists is the national sponsor of Bike Month, Bike-to-Work Week, Bike-to-Work Day.