Last Wednesday Spokane showed its vibrance at the Summer Parkways community event held in the Manito and Comstock neighborhoods — using human transportation only. Washington Bikes was there to celebrate summer and the publication of the new Spokane Regional Bike Map by Spokane Regional Transportation Council. To pick up a new, Spokane Regional Bike Map in-person, visit the Washington Bikes’ booth at the Kidical Mass event on September 11th, 2014.
I was fortunate to have been visited by one of Spokane’s very influential bike and pedestrian safety advocates, Katie Ferris. She serves on the Spokefest Board and has made a model-event out of Bike to School Day at Broadway Elementary School in West Valley School District. It is people like Katie Ferris who make Washington a more bike-friendly and active place.
Katie Ferris visits the Washington Bikes booth at Spokane Summer Parkways 2014. Photo by Hank Greer.
Spokane Summer Parkways is inspired by a Colombian event called Ciclovia (meaning “bike path” in Spanish) and similar events in other parts of the world. Recreation, fitness and community combine to create a unique event which includes only human-powered transportation. All people are welcome– with or without their super-hero capes.
A young super-hero enjoys her time at Spokane Summer Parkways. Photo by Hank Greer.
At Wednesday’s event people of all ages and abilities enter and exit the parkway at any point along the course and can participate in a variety of the following activities:
* Bike decorating contest
* Ride a bike-powered smoothie-maker
* Hoola-hoop
* Listen to danceable music being played from stereos on bikes.
* Play their own music instruments
* See unicycles and double-decker bikes in action
* Meet local City Council members, local candidates and other public servants
* Walk, bike and play in the park
* Meet local businesses inspired by good-health
This family looks into the future with their imaginations at Summer Parkways 2014. Photo by Hank Greer.
Spokane City Council member John Snyder helps judge the bike-decorating contest:
Spokane City Council Member is a volunteer judge for the bike-decorating contest. Photo by Hank Greer.
Spokane County Treasurer Candidate, Amy Biviano campaigns by bike at Spokane Summer Parkways:
Join Washington Bikes at the next Spokane Summer Parkways event featuring Kidical Mass on September 11th.
