Bicyclists Encouraged to Explore Newport News
By: City of Newport News
| May is National Bike Month, a celebration of biking as transportation and recreation, both of which are essential to our well-being and everyday lives. This week is Bike to Work Week, with Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 20. Even if you can’t bike to work, we encourage you to grab your bike and explore a new trail and get some exercise.In Newport News, our bike trails range from leisurely to challenging. For recreational biking, visit Newport News Park, a 7,700-acre park with water views. Cyclists can enjoy a shaded, smooth ride on hard-packed gravel on the Newport News Park Bikeway Trail. Here, you can also rent a bike (call 757-886-7777 for more information). The Riverview Farm Park Trail is another favorite of cyclists, as it boasts a smooth paved ride that’s perfect for the whole family. More adventurous riders can explore our mountain bike trails at Harwood’s Mill Trail and The Mariners’ Lake Natural Area, which is composed of a natural and single-tracked surface. For serious or leisurely cyclists who want a tour of some of our city’s most favored gems, Route 1 provides more than 17 miles of waterfront riding, from Riverview Farm Park to The Mariners’ Museum and Park and Historic Hilton Village. Opportunities to bike in Newport News are continuing to expand! We are in the midst of developing the Newport News Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and we need your input! This plan will serve as the guiding document for policies and procedures, design guidelines, and project implementation strategies for developing an interconnected network of trails, shared-use paths, on-street bikeways, walkways, bike lanes, and accessible sidewalks. There are three ways to get involved: Complete an online survey to share your experiences with biking and walking in Newport News.Participate in an online community forum on Wednesday, May 25 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Register in advance on the project webpage. Attend one of the two open houses being held on Wednesday, June 8 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Denbigh Community Center (15198 Warwick Boulevard) and at the Main Street Library (110 Main Street). Drop in anytime for these events to learn more and share your input. Another important component of National Bike Month is sharing bicycle safety tips. A large percentage of crashes can be avoided if motorists and cyclists follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website for bicycle safety tips. |