Bicyclists large and small are encouraged to ride to Downtown Rochester, park their bikes, shop, eat and enjoy all Rochester has to offer on Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. during Two-Wheelin’ It To Rochester. The new event is co-hosted by the Green City Committee of Rochester and the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, and is sponsored by Rochester Bike Shop.
“Rochester is a bike-friendly place, with easy access from local neighborhoods and regional trails that connect all the way to West Bloomfield, Lake Orion, Romeo and beyond,” says Marilyn Trent, Chair of the Rochester Green City Committee. “Two Wheelin’ It To Rochester will celebrate this fact and help raise awareness. With the Main Street Makeover construction, there is no better time to invite bicyclists downtown.”
Special business promotions for cyclists, a Bike Information Booth at the Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market, and a Bike Scavenger Hunt will be featured throughout the day. Bike parking will be available near Farmers’ Market and at bike racks throughout downtown.
Promotions will include special discounts and a little something extra for bicyclists. Participating businesses include:
- Holy Cannoli’s
- Aurum Design Jewelry
- WHOO UR Resale for a Cause
- Moon River Soap Company
- Hungry Howie’s
- Give Thanks Bakery & Café
- Penny Black
- South Street Skateshop
- The Funky Frog Children’s Resale Boutique
- Rochester Ballroom
- Studio One Salon
- O’Connor’s Public House
- Haig’s Fine Jewelry of Rochester, and many more!
The Bike Information Booth at Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market will be staffed by Rochester Bike Shop and will feature a bike clinic, covering bike maintenance, repair, and safety. Maps and information on local and regional trails, cycling organizations, and cycling opportunities will also be available.
The Bike Scavenger Hunt will begin and end at the Rochester Bike Shop and will feature Downtown Rochester. The first 100 people to successfully complete the Scavenger Hunt will be entered into a drawing to receive a 20-inch kid’s bicycle, courtesy of Rochester Bike Shop.
“While Main Street Makeover may have made it a bit trickier for cars to access downtown, getting to Rochester by bike has never been easier. In 2011, the DDA installed 8 new bike racks in and around downtown. This event is an opportunity to help raise awareness and help get people downtown during construction,” says Cathy Daldin, event co-sponsor and Rochester City Councilperson.
Volunteers are needed to help with welcoming and directing people, staffing the Bike Information Booth at the Farmers’ Market and other tasks. Volunteers will receive a free Two Wheelin’ It To Rochester Staff T-shirt. To sign up to volunteer, people can go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2wheelvolunteer or contact Nina Ignaczak at ninaignaczak@gmail.com
About Tom and Ann Gendich