With village leaders deeming last year’s inaugural event a “great success,” Oak Park is again hosting the “Move with the Mayor” community bike event, promoting health and bicycle safety.
In a village news release, officials extended an invitation for residents – and their whole families – to jump on their bikes and ride to Village Hall May 14. Village President Vicki Scaman and village staff will give away free bicycle helmets.
“I’m thrilled to bring Move with the Mayor to life once again here in Oak Park,” Scaman stated in the release. “Last year’s inaugural event for us was a great success and I have no doubt that year two will make just as positive of an impact on the community. One of our adopted board goals is community health and safety, prioritizing the need to provide for safe mobility. As we continue to work toward that end and our Vision Zero plan, I know that this event will be a great way to further shine a light on those important initiatives.”
The event this year will focus on bike safety, according to the release. In addition to the bike helmet giveaway, participants will be able to participate in a mini bike safety rodeo with a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor.
“The free helmets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Free stickers will also be available so participants can customize and decorate their helmets,” the release states.
Additionally, those attending will be able to gather information about bicycling in Oak Park, including locations of bike-parking shelters, free bike fix-it stations and bike-safe routes throughout the village, the release explains.
“Move with the Mayor is a national initiative that works with leaders across the country to challenge their communities to be more physically active. Mayors encourage their communities to be physically active to lower their chances of heart disease and its risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes,” according to the release.